I think we're talking about different approaches to performance, and what one prefers to do is an individual choice.

Anyone who thinks that it is always harder to do the one man band thing should look at the pure love and complex interplay of groups like Fourplay, or the interaction between Bella Fleck and Victor Wooten. Improvising taking ques from musicians of equal ability and stature is awsome and takes talent, concentration, chops and years of experience. The non-spoken communication
and creativity involved is magic!

Of course, we're approaching the whole "entertainer vs. musician" subject.

In a perfect world, I'd always play in a group and do mostly instrumentals. In the real world, over 1/2 my work is as a OMB.

I continue to have a "love/hate" relationship with arrangers. But what's more important is do what you choose to do and be the best you can be at it. Always keep listening and learning, and you'll achieve success however you define it and however you choose to do it.

Let's all keep on "pickin' and grinnin'!


Russ