Question on the NY scene..

[Blisterfinger]

Hey Janek,
I'm an Irish bassist, playing for about 6/7 years now and I'm thinking about heading over to New York as I've family living in the Long Island/Lynbrook area and I'm interested in finding myself a job for the summer as a bassist in any kind of (preferably jazz) band. I noticed you're a New York based bassist and I was wondering if you could give me some advice on where/how to get into the scene?

[PlanetEarth]

Smalls has after-hours jams 7 nights a week. Bring your A-game.

-PE

[Blisterfinger]

Nice one, looks good. I'll check it out, thanks!

[Snarf]

Originally Posted by Blisterfinger

Hey Janek,
I'm an Irish bassist, playing for about 6/7 years now and I'm thinking about heading over to New York as I've family living in the Long Island/Lynbrook area and I'm interested in finding myself a job for the summer as a bassist in any kind of (preferably jazz) band. I noticed you're a New York based bassist and I was wondering if you could give me some advice on where/how to get into the scene?

You're not going to get any work if you're staying for only a summer. You probably won't get any calls for gigs that pay much of anything until the 2ish year mark in the scene. Also, you need to be world class or you're just gonna get rolled.

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by Snarf

You're not going to get any work if you're staying for only a summer. You probably won't get any calls for gigs that pay much of anything until the 2ish year mark in the scene. Also, you need to be world class or you're just gonna get rolled.

Waiting until you're "world class" is a good way of never getting to NYC. A couple of players from my neck of the woods Renee Rosnes and Seamus Blake were both playing extremely well when they went to NY but I wouldn't have called either "world class" then. I sure would now but I think being in that pressure cooker of talent was instrumental to their fully blossoming.
Go West young man.

[janekbass]

My experience of NYC from the first time I ever visited there from Berklee in 98, to the 10 years living there full-time, and now the few years I've spent living between Los Angeles and NYC has been a non stop changing landscape.

I'll try to recall as much of it as I can, and impart whatever knowledge I have to help you.

My first months living in NYC were not littered with gigs at all, despite having already played with Hiram Bullock, Kenwood Dennard, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim etc etc... and that was a mental challenge for sure. Just trying to survive day to day was one thing, but the real test is to survive mentally and stay focussed on the goal. It's also very important to have some idea of what you might want out of being in the city too.... that helps to set goals and focus your attention into the right scenes and meet the right people. I would go out every night to every jam session I could, play during the day at people's houses, practice for hours and hours at a time and just soak it all up.

It will be hard to get a gig there right away unless you have a connection with someone that's willing to hire you. It'll take time to make connections. I'm not trying to put you off by any means, just letting you know that it does take a bit of time.

But if you have an open mind, and soak up everything the city has to offer, the experience will change your life forever and help you find your voice as a musician is that's what you choose to do.

I spent a lot of time on the road with previous gigs and connections when I first moved to NYC so I wasn't around the scene as much as I would have liked. But that was my way to survive.

For me living in New York has never been about making money in town as a musician. There are gigs where you can do that very successfully, but they are highly contested and take time to get. Namely Broadway shows, studio work, tv show house band etc etc. There are lots of wedding gigs, cover band gigs etc etc, but none of this was ever something I moved to NY to do. So I didn't. I took a lot of hits financially to stay true to what I wanted out of being there, and could have had things easier sometimes by doing the odd wedding gig here and there, but I just wasn't into it. It was a personal choice, but one that worked out for me in the end.

So the focus for me was on meeting the people I wanted to connect with and make music, and then just playing as much as possible in town to figure out who I was as a player. I eventually started making albums as a leader, touring as a musical director for various artists, and working in the studio a little bit (although studio work in NYC was never a main focus for me or a main source of income).

It was when I moved into production that I really started to work in the studio a lot and was writing more, producing record dates, and playing as much as I could on the road.

I think the thing I take away from the past 13 years of being around NYC is that it's a constant learning experience. It's never stopped for me, and I sincerely hope it never will. I'll be back there in two weeks for a show at the Blue Note with Randy Brecker, a show with my own band at the 55bar, a series of interviews, and a drop into the Fodera factory to check on my new bass which is almost finished.... it sounds like I'm "there" when I look at it on paper, and that I've put in my time and have reached a comfortable place to be able to work with some great musicians. In reality it's just a new level of learning that I've been fortunate enough to get to. I'm learning from so many people there who are all focussed and exceptional at what they do. I'm proud to be a part of it in some small way, and I enjoy the influence and inspiration it has on my playing and on my life.

I hope you choose to move there and that you can get some really great experiences out of being immersed in that city. I highly recommend it to anyone.

Janek

[Blisterfinger]

Sound advice, I also should have stated that depending on how it goes over the summer or if I decide to spend longer there, I may well end up staying indefinitely. I know of a couple people who went over to do check the place out and ended up never coming back. They're still there now. Anyway, I do intend on going over either way, not just for the music but to see old friends and family etc. Thanks for the advice, I appreciate receiving such a good insight!

[Hou]

Well said Janek! It must have been hard from time to time living in NY since you don't making money with practice and living in NY must be expensive!

When you are at the Fodera shop. Ask them to try my new bass! It's chambered and Jason says it's awesome

http://www.fodera.com/Main/NewBornDe...uredItemID=103

I will having it in 20 days

[57pbass]

Originally Posted by janekbass

There are gigs where you can do that very successfully, but they are highly contested and take time to get. Namely Broadway shows, studio work, tv show house band etc etc. There are lots of wedding gigs, cover band gigs etc etc, but none of this was ever something I moved to NY to do. So I didn't. I took a lot of hits financially to stay true to what I wanted out of being there, and could have had things easier sometimes by doing the odd wedding gig here and there, but I just wasn't into it. It was a personal choice, but one that worked out for me in the end.
Janek

This is very true..and after honestly evaluating my talent level and realizing that I would never be in the same league as Janekbass I decided to focus on the cover band,wedding, showcase circuit.

I practice often, have good gear, prepare for any gig I accept and give 100%. As a result - I have been able to work an average of 50 shows per year for the past several while working a full time day job.

I would love to do this full time but NYC is a very expensive place to be without an income and there is major league talent all over the place....

There is a pretty healthy live music circuit in the tri state area especially in the warm weather...you will need a vehicle which means insurance, car payments. The cover band circuit has some very talented musicians working..so many of the shows I do are quite good.

All the best to you with your decision.

Janekbass..I have done many shows with drummer Takanorra Niida....we are good friends. I enjoy your playing...