I'm just a jazz sax/vocals guy who plays
an arranger because i have some basic piano chops, can get a lot more work, and have more creative control without the bandleader blues. However, except
for a private party where I can command a good price...there is no way I can get a
bar or restuarant owner to pay me much more than if I was a member of a band...so I found an excellent bongo/hand
percussion cat to play with me. this works really well for several reasons:
I make the same amount or only slightly less than usual because the owner is
willing to pay more for 2 musicians. it takes up very little room compared to a drummer. The audience pays a lot more attention to a duo than a solo performer, it is a better draw, the percussionist is the focus for the rhythm audience-wise even though I still have the internal bass/drums going, it is visually exciting.
just a suggestion--it has worked out
better for me any other duo arrangement..
and is a lot of fun to play that way..
Miami Mo