Its kind of a shame that even thought these are great musicians (notice I didn't say "preformers") this kind of music just doesn't generate a big cash flow. The audiences that come out , even though mostly well heeled and educated in music actually come to listen and not dance, drink heavily and party.
I've seen it in many places. Once here in Cape May NJ at the Jazz Festival. Went early to get a good seat at the bar to hear Joey DeFrancesco. Place got packed quick. After he started we noticed the bartenders standing with their arms crossed and the crowd standing still staring at the stage, some and not all holding a drink. In later festivals they put a two drink minimum in but its hard to enforce . They feel that after they paid for a ticket they should be able to go into the venues for free.
Catch 22 and the death of another festival.
_________________________
Bill in SC --- Roland BK9 (2) Roland BK7M, Roland PK5 Pedals, Roland FP90, Roland CM30 (2), JBL Eon Ones (2) JBL 610 Monitor, Behringer Sub, EV mics, Apple iPad (2) Behringer DJ mixer