I received a call from an agent a couple days ago, one that I hadn't hear from in four years. I didn't think she even knew I was still alive. She asked if I was interested in a regular gig at an Italian restaurant in Baltimore's Little Italy, to which I replied "OK, when?" It's a Sunday and Monday night job from 6 to 10, which works out just fine for my other scheduled jobs during the day. Ironically, the place has a concert grand piano, and when I told the owner I don't play a piano, he said that's fine because he was looking for a keyboard player that knew a lot of the older standards, Sinatra, Martin, etc.

Anyway, tomorrow's the big day for the audition, and beleive it or not, after all these years, I'm a bit nervous about it. When you're accustomed to just walking in, setting up in front of a crowd and jumping right into the thick of things, and you've been doing this for years, it doesn't bother you at all. This time, however, I'm just playing for the owner, a couple waiters and waitresses and the few customers that will still be there at 2:30 in the afternoon. Scary!

Here's where I'll be setting up. The keyboard will have to either go on top of the piano, or squeezed into the corner behind the piano. It's gonna' be tight.

It's gonna'a be a fun time in Charm City tomorrow (I hope),

Gary

Good Luck Gary....

Awesome looking Piano bar..If I'm not mistaken Uncle Dave is doing a similar PIano Bar gig [same setup] here in NJ using his Arranger KB too.
I know you do great there.....

PS.. Bring a Big Fi$h Bowl..

GOOD LUCK T.EASY ,IKNOW YOUR GOING TO BE OK, BEST REGARDS, BENNO

Gary,
Break a leg.
Terry

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jam on,
Terry http://imjazzed.homestead.com/Index.html

Gary...
Very classy looking place. I see a speaker up on the wall. Maybe you won't have to take anything but your KB. Sunday/Monday jobs are icing on the cake. Best of luck.
Eddie

That's great Gary. I know you'll do well.
I'm jealous.
DonM

Hi Gary, considering you say you don't play the acoustic piano, I still strongly recommend that you set your arranger on TOP of the piano and perform standing up. I definitely DON'T recommend you even consider squeezing yourself behind the piano.

From my years of experience of playing & having worked many similar long standing acoustic piano bar venues, I can tell you that playing the piano and primiarily utilizing the arranger keyboard (placed on top of the piano) for auto accompaniment backup and playing bass lines, will yield FAR more tips than playing the arranger kb alone. For whatever reason, when patrons see an acoustic piano, they expect a keyboard musician to play it (well), and will subsequently tip a lot more for that pleasure as well.

That being said, you must 'at least' perform from the playing position of the acoustic piano in order to provide your audience seated around you on the bar stools full attention both while performing and during the obligatory stage patter of humor & charm, and wit that I'm sure you will be sharing with your audience. This ensures that tips continuously fly into the big fancy crystal tip jar you have positioned within easy aim on top of the piano (directly under the spotlight of course).

This venue looks to be a great opportunity for you to expand your following and clientle, and potentially land those even higher paying private party & special function gigs. Gary, wishing you the best of luck on the audition. Just Go have fun and that itself will land you the gig. - Scott

Gary,

It's great to hear your nervous, because that's what will give you the edge and allow you to do fine in your audition!! A little fear helps keep your edge.

I agree with Scott, on using the Piano, but I think sitting is fine. Even if you are not a Piano purist, I think you can find a way to incorporate the Grand Piano into some of your songs. Be Brave, you'll do just fine. Here is where all our experience pays off!!!

Regards and good luck
Al

Thanks guys and gals for the confidence builders and kudos. And thanks to Mike for making me really look good in that cut & past job behind the piano. I headed out now and will keep everyone posted as to whether or not I get the job.

Cheers,

Gary

I had suggested a standing performance position when playing the arranger exclusively, with it placed on TOP of the piano, as it would be quite awkward to access it while seated. Gary, if you do land that piano bar venue, I recommend that you at least play a 'couple' of songs on their acoustic piano. It doesn't even have to be a complicated piece. but perhaps one in which you accompany yourself while singing, say on an intimate romantic ballad. The ladies really love this sort of thing. Just a thought. - Scott

You're welcome, glad you liked it.

To tell the truth, I was looking for your shots of you in a backyard with your keyboard. I thought there was a good one with you behind your keyboard. I would have tried to snip that and place it on top of the acoustic piano.

Anyway, I hope all is going well with the audition.

mike

Since we're talking about acoustic piano gigs, this is a picture from my piano gig at a private dining club in Savannah, Georgia. The little laptop on the upper left side of the piano has the Yamaha XG softsynth on it for SMF playback, and not seen is the JBL EON10 G2 that I place down on the left side of the piano.

Good luck with your gig Gary - that looks like a very nice piano setup (with the exception of the speaker on the wall - I'm not a fan of PeeVee). Looks like they provide a little vocal monitor on a mic stand behind the piano too.

congrats gary,i,m sure all went well,mike

Good Luck Gary!!

Anyway you could have your keyboard on top of the piano's keys??..........with the lid down of course and your keyboard stand at the correct height?? That way you could sit down and look like you are playing a grand!!

The audition went well, pretty tight quarters though, and the restaurant's owner said he loved the music, his staff enjoyed it, and his wife, who was listening on the phone liked it. The next step is this Saturday evening from 8 till midnight. He said if the crowd likes me, and he sincerely believes they will, then I'm in for every Sunday and Monday night from 6 till 10.

I decided to have lunch before I played, which was interesting. When the waiter brought the menu, there were no prices. It's one of those kind of places where if you want to know the price, you can't afford to eat there. Oh, almost forgot. The owner said a free meal and whatever I want from the bar was part of the deal as well. Sure hope the crowd likes me on Saturday night, and I also hope I don't get snowed out. The weather prognosticators are calling for about 4 to 7 inches of snow, depending on where the cold front comes through--not good.

Thanks again guys and gals,

Gary

Nice Going Gary...

I knew you could do it!!
In a few weeks that lounge area will known as .... "The Diamond Room"

Bring on the Antipasti !!!!

Ciao

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www.donnypesce.com

Man, oh man ..... I can just imagine all the "fish tales" that will be told at the bar !

Sunday/Monday Drink Special:
Gary's Kickapoo Joy Juice.

Hey Gary...No Room there for the Arranger?
Just put a Silver Sparkle Cover on top of the Piano and Setup right on top of it!!!!!


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www.donnypesce.com

tomorrow night is lookin' like it's out of the question, especially after 10 inches of snow today, and another 7 to 10 forecasted for tomorrow. Just another fun day in Paradise. Got lots of Kickapoo Joy Juice, and just poured a tall glass of my homemade Island Ameretta over ice. Damned if Key West doesn't look good this time of year.

Donny, you're gonna' get hammered tomorrow as well, at least that't what the weather guy says. Seems like the entire east coast north of Virginia will get dumped on--just in time for the Raven game.

Cheers,

Gary

Pro,

Can you tell us about that little laptop your using? looks kool!

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www.donnypesce.com

Gary,


NOR'EASTER is blowing here big time....

Sure Donny... it's a Fujitsu P-2120 subnotebook. Very small and light, it runs on a 933 Mhz Transmeta processor which runs cooler than Intel and AMD's. It goes with me everywhere and I love it. Has built-in WiFi but I can plug it into my cell phone for high-speed wireless web. This model is a year old and alas, there may be a few remaining but they have been discontinued. For more information click here .

[This message has been edited by The Pro (edited 12-05-2003).]

Jim,
Thanx for the info...very interesting smaller concept, especially nice for stage use, looks good too....could be my next toy, I'm a glutten for smaller, lighter tools?

take care