BLOWN AWAY

Someone posted footage of a favorite sax player of mine on Facebook recently, performing with a combo at what appeared to be a swank joint  -- white tablecloths, chandeliers, and the band in suits and ties.

The group launched into an old bebop standard and my friend took the first solo.  His playing was big as day, bold, ripe with expression, and captivating. It's what happened while my sax buddy was playing that blew me away.

The trombone player walked across stage (behind the sax player) and picked up something from a bag under the piano.  Then, he proceeded to dismantle his 'bone, lubricate the slides with spray lube, then re-assemble the instrument.

But that's not all.

Next, he put his trombone on its stand, and proceeded to walk around on the bandstand....back and forth between the members of they rhythm section...and all the while waiting out the sax player so he could launch his own solo.

The trombone player's poor judgement and bad stage manners surprised me, considering the guy's deep pockets as a musician. You'd think he'd have known better, considering his level of pro experience.

But no, he didn't.

The rule of thumb while on stage is this:  watch and listen to the other performers when you yourself are not playing. Remain attentive to what is being 'said' by the other players so that you too can contribute to the conversation. Be polite, and do not draw attention away from the soloist.

Never, ever just walk around on stage (or lube your horn in front of an audience) while a song is in progress.  If you bust a reed, keep a spare in pocket. If you have to leave the stage, wait until a song is over.

In any combo configuration, our job is to support each other, even when we are not playing. So, stand still. Listen. Watch.

But do not walk around, fidget, make instrument repairs, or use your cell phone.

This stuff seems elementary, does it not?

on-stage manners, live performance, gigging, band life, combos, bad manners