Drummer-composer Evan Stone is, by nature, intense and focused, reflecting his lifelong commitment to the art of making music. He took up the trumpet as a third grader on Long Island, New York. By the time he was 12, he took to banging on cardboard boxes and, after receiving his first drum kit, he joined a rock band and was playing professionally in clubs at the age of 13. He cites, among his diverse musical influences, Peter Erskine, Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Vinnie Colaiuta, Elvin Jones, John Bonham and Stewart Copeland. Evan has toured and recorded widely. His latest album, "Sticks and Stone, Vol. 1," is available from Red Jazz Records: redjazz.com
"So the moral of the story is... don't be the first...be the second jazz group to walk into the club asking for work!"
I recently asked some very accomplished musician friends of mine if they would kindly share with the readers their insight involving "how to get gigs and maintain them" along with other nuggets of pure wisdom. Some were quite serious, others were not. I enjoyed them all. Here are some …
"Play with everyone and everywhere you possibly can because you never know who might be in the audience listening.
"Every time I pick up my horn I want to play better than I did before... it's an ever growing experience.
"Also, when you are on a gig, don't be selfish. The other musicians are contributing to how you sound as well, so if you are having a great musical experience with everyone on stage, chances are people will keep calling you to come back."
-- Edmund Velasco
"Don't tell anyone you play an instrument.
"You gotta look under 26 or forget about it and you GOTTA dance.
"Oh, and never claim to know ANYTHING about jazz."
-- Chris Barron
"I don't pigeon hole myself as just a jazz musician even though that's a lot of what I play. I do all kinds of shows, classical gigs, cabaret, musicals etc.
"I think the answer might be, to be appropriate for each gig you are on and to be a nice person. Be diverse and play as many styles as you can."
-- Joel Hamilton
.
"You can't live life expecting any rewards.
"Believe in a higher power...have faith but don't worry about it....oh yeah and practice like a mutha#*$&@!"
-- Blake White
"I don't know where you're getting the information about me being a 'working guy'.
I'm starving for gigs myself! I mean, all the calls I get for work are for gigs I already have booked!"
-- Brian Chapman
"It's all about relationships with club owners and keeping them happy. Make phone calls to club owners. Have a database of every club in the area and the booking agents' names, numbers and what time to call them. keep a log of when you call them.
"Promoting your gigs and getting as many people as you can to see you perform is also important.
"Coming in with a good attitude with respect to others as well as yourself as an artist will allow others to in turn respect you and eventually people will call you for work.
"Be the talent. Be the show."
-- Gina Saputo
"The only way to get gigs is by being in the right place at the right time. Time it perfectly so that you 'just so happen' to walk into a club when the club owner is sitting around thinking, "Hey I think I need a band."
"It would be nice if talent came into the equation, but it rarely does.
"This happens to me all the time... I go into a club asking the guy if he wants jazz and he says 'hmmm... nah, it would never work in here.' Two weeks later I go by the very same club and, lo and behold, a jazz quartet is playing on my gig! So the moral of the story is... don't be the first...be the second jazz group to walk into the club asking for work!"
-- Dave Goldberg
"Especially as a keyboard player...do what it is you say you are going to do. Be easy to work with. Don't make others work hard to work with you.
"Leave the other guys in the band feeling good so that they call you back. Hustle and market yourself. Be where the work is."
-- Albert Margolis
"The secret is, there's no secret. It's all hard work and luck. Make sure you are putting it out there strong when it's time to do it and hope for the best. Have patience.
"If you wake up in the morning and you have that feeling that you gotta play...that's what it's all about."
-- Bob Sheppard
"If there's a specific group that you want to play with, learn their music and go to all their shows. Let them know you're interested in playing with them. Chances are they'd be much more likely to call a cat who has already done his homework."
"One gig leads to the next, so once you get one, more are sure to follow. As a musician, your top priority ought to be the music. Don't worry too much about getting work, just make beautiful music."
-- Gerald Clayton
And there you have it. Take this advice and mix it with a little self examination and you could have a formula for some sort of success...whatever that may be.
See you all "out there."
After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. 
– Aldous Huxley
Q: What's the similarity between a drummer and a philosopher?
A: They both perceive time as an abstract concept.
