Ian�s observations are my views, as well. I pick and choose gigs, knowing full well my strengths and limitations. I hope they never stop making arrangers, since they fit perfectly the retired-age groups that supply most of my gigs. My community is loaded with many loud bars, with bands catering to the young set. Let �em pack those places.
I hope and pray they don�t show at my gigs. They�d be sadly disappointed. But, many others are not disappointed. To my knowledge, I�m the only one around here playing an arranger. It�s served well, now, for 8 years steady work in a fine dining restaurant setting. No dance floor, only background music. I�m part of a larger group, when dance music is called for. No arranger is used in those settings.