Chas,

I have a 16 piece big band, I have a 7 piece big band, I have a 5 piece band and I also do trio stuff using the arranger and a couple of other musicians and I do solo arranger stuff. I prefer live musicians hands down.

How I play really doesn't differ much in any of the situations. When I'm playing with the 16 piece band I play my keyboard part. When I'm playing at my mom's nursing home as a solo I play my keyboard part. Regardless of who or what I'm playing with, my playing really doesn't change much.

I'm no less of a musician playing with 15 other guys than I am playing as a solo with an arranger.

I heard one of the greatest guitarists in the world (Phil Keggey) use a loop machine in his performance. It did not make him any less of a musician and if fact enhanced the performance.

Of course in a high priced jazz club nobody would expect to hear an arranger. It seems in your view these are the only places where real "Professionals" play. I guess if we play at the Elks or the Moose or a local resturaunt we can't be "Professional".

Why won't you answer where your line is? As a solo performer would you ever use a drum machine to enhance your performance?

Chas, I do agree with you that playing an arranger using a style is instant coffee, but it's better than no coffee, and I have to work harder and be better because I can't lean on the other band members.

I disagree on where "professionals" play and who they are and what they play.

Again I saw a guy playing a Korg I30 in a lounge in Las Vegas but in your opinion he wasn't a professional. I disagree.

Tom