Man do I hate that!! They usually come up to you while your playing another song and we discussed that in another thread. If I can't get rid of them with a wave off I try to explain I just don't know their song or what key or whatever and put the blame on myself. Then of course they start singing to me as if that will automatically teach me the song. If all else fails and its the host who wants them or I I have to relent--and its been my experience that it usually turns out bad. And you all know the number one reason why---they can't count of keep a beat even if they do fine some right notes! If they stay too long I explain I have to get back to the dance music.

That aside years ago there was a guy at the Jersey Shore who did an unbeliveable OMB. Hammond with 4 leslies, Coon theatre organ on his left with 4 gyro speakers( those were two 12" speakers on a rotating board to give a vibrato effect to the Conn's strings), Baby grand on his right, two Mini Moogs on the B3 and two cabinets with 4/ 15" speakers for his bass pedals and Drum Tracks 8 track drum machine. AND HE WAS BLIND!! His name was Al Rando and he was/is a shore legend. He later did a smaller restaurant with a cut down setup and invited anyone to sing. He packed the place every night with groups that would come in to "Sing with AL" This is way before we got polluted with Kareoke in every bar. The amazing part is he could play anything in any key including some Opera one woman came to sing and he made them all sound good. I don't know if he is still around but he was the most amazing musician I have ever seen


Bill in NJ

Al Rando was a good friend of mine .....he is a class act all the way and a super talented keyboard musician. I have sang with him many times. A keyboard genius. People would come from far & near ( mostly the over 50 crowd) to have dinner and enjoy the show...some restaurants with even name their dining rooms after him 'THE RANDO ROOM"...he would have a woman escort him to and fro also. I would kiss his bald head when I saw him and he knew exactly who I was as he did everyone else amazing!! Many singers in the jersey Shore area would have Al make backing tracks for them also. Sitting in with Al Rando was the norm at the White Sands, Doolan's & Savannah's.

"No, I'm sorry." (Simple as that.)

or

"No, I'm sorry, my insurance policy doesn't provide coverage for anyone but me and I learned my lesson the hard way. Sorry."

My long-time music partner, Tommy Johnston, was a small town judge, blacksmith, "killer" B-3 player and general "badass" when he wanted to be. He was about twice my age when we played together.

When asked if someone could sit in, he would have them get their instrument. If it was a solid body guitar, he would roll his eyes, assist with the tuning of the instrument, and then call out tunes like "Four", "Angel Eyes", "Wave" and others. Of course, the person knew none of them (usually).

Then, Tommy would say," Tell you what. Take that piece of SH** guitar home and don't come back and waste my time until you learn how to play it."

Funny, but no-one EVER came back. That's pretty rough, but he liked the key of E even less than I do! (LOL)!

The point is, jam session players, at least in a jazz setting, have to realize that "sit in's" have to be able to keep up, don't call tunes unless asked and, above all, respect the integrity of the music and the leader(s).

That being said, some of my fondest memories are of some "sit-in's" who "kicked ass" on the bandstand. Lou Rawls was one of them. I had a house job at the Campbell House in Lexington. He came there with his daughters frequently to shop for show horses and to get riding lessons for the kids.
He would simply look at me; I'd nod, he'd take my mike and proceed to blow me totally away, finishing the tune I was into...no fanfare...no introduction; just raw, delightful talent.

That's a "sit-in" I will forever appreciate....a great father, true gentleman and the reason I'm not a professional vocalist (LOL)!

Russ

DNJ

So cool that you knew Al. He used to hang at my friends music shop in Sea Girt. Whatever he bought he bought two, one for the gig and one for home. I remember we were all just learning about arrangers and my friend Gary had a new Korg in his shop. Gary put it on a Big Band style and asked Al what he thought. He said "Sounds like a Japanese Big Band" !
I saw him do his live "Kareoke" thing at PJ Ruggles a bunch of times. You right, once you just said hello to him and told him your name he would never forget you even if it was year between visits.
Last I saw him was maybe 5-8 yrs ago at Brennens Steakhouse on Rt. 35 Neptune. He was doing dinner music on a Yamaha piano.
The best of the best

In a club situation, I'm often asked from the bandstand to "sit in". I always refuse. Without rehearsing with most house bands, the best you can do is sound "OK". The worst is far, far worse!

Don't need the recognition/exposure.


Russ

Yea Bill good memories down the Jersey Shore...
Al was truly a class act all the way!