I quit my nightly gig about 2 months into covid. I have been working an average of three "hired gun" studio jobs a month and doing about 20 video and score projects for my clients a year.

Lately, I noticed I am slowing down a bit. What I realize is, while I didn't like the country club I worked, I liked the 2-4 hours of PAID PRACTICE a night.

A friend who was head chef for a place I worked for 14 years started a place abut 10 years ago. It's upper scale, draws the kind of clients I want for my marketing production company and is conveniently located.

He has been using a rotating group of singles, duos and trios...some good; some not so good.

I will be the "house jazz guy". Across town, there is a good Italian restaurant where my friend George played. He was replaced 7 years ago by a so so sax player, using poorly prepared tracks.

That's the competition, which really shouldn't amount to much, since the owner of that place offers me a house job every few months.


Wish me luck!


Russ

Congratulations Russ, glad you’re still working. In my little circle ( small independent Mexican restaurants / Latino clubs) the big competition is solo impersonating acts, which is usually men who impersonating famous women singers, which is all lip sync .
Nothing against that, but I have my limits… Meanwhile, we ‘re keeping busy enough performing at parties and festivals.

Also I joined a classic rock band that performs at retirement communities. Fun to watch the folks in their 70’s and 80’s rock out to the Stones, Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Door, Beatles…..

Nice Russ. Enjoy

Nothing beats playing live. Studio work, there’s always that second take, that rethink about note choice. Live, no do-overs! And yes, 2-3 hours finger time a night is probably more than we do in a non-gigging day. Seat time equals lap times!

Glad you’re back out in the thick of things, Russ. I'm sure you’ll love it! I know that getting back to playing has been the driving force in my recovery… 🎹♥️