Las Vegas guys--Is there alot of work there?

NickyBass · #1 12-27-2006, 11:17 AM

I was wondering how the music scene was in Las Vegas. I was just daydreaming about moving there, and wanted to do a little research as to the amount of work available. How hard is it to get a steady gig in a casino? I've done a few gigs in Atlantic City, but nothing steady. What are your thoughts and expieriences?

MakiSupaStar · #2 12-27-2006, 12:39 PM

I'm also very interested in this thread. From what I've heard, the casinos only hire, union musicians. I'd love for somebody that works Vegas to set us straight.

CamMcIntyre · #3 12-27-2006, 07:05 PM

I'm guessing Adrian Garcia will chime in here. If he doesn't-i think he'd be the cat to PM. Killer player & nice guy w/a pretty nice gig. Unless if it's closed/he left-he's playing for HairSpray IIRC.

adrian garcia · #4 12-29-2006, 10:33 PM

Hairspray unfortunately closed while back. Work is not as plentiful here as it once was ( better even before i got here in 2001 ) - the new thing is doubling on the brodway style musicals. Since i play very little upright and no arco, i am not considered for the new musicals ( Producers, Spamalot ) - otherwise, it's lounge work ( yuck ) and hooking up with a Vegs artist and even then, having worked with Sheena Easton ( she works very little ) and Martin Nievera ( known as the concert king of the phillipines ) the gigs are a little rare- it's been freelancing for me lately, which is cool because i'm not on gig long enough to get TOO bored, but you never know how next month is going to look. Thanks to God, I somehow pull it off, but I ain't getting rich, that's for sure. You never know, though... you could arrive and land a dreamy gig the day after..
much luck to you. God bless.

MakiSupaStar · #5 12-30-2006, 12:15 AM

So Adrian, is this mostly union work?

adrian garcia · #6 12-30-2006, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

So Adrian, is this mostly union work?

No, in fact , only some of the Broadway musicals are Union. And some corporate jobs. None of the Cirque du Soleil shows ( there are many, like 6 or 7 , they are taking over the town ) are not Union and they hire mostly Canadian musicians and out of town players. As far as I know, Mamma Mia, Phantom, the upcoming The Producers and Spamalot are union. The Musicians Union is not that strong here. Wish they would be, many local players get passed on for out of town players, etc... I was once one of those out of town imports for a show, so I cannot complain too much.

MakiSupaStar · #7 12-30-2006, 01:33 AM

That's good to know. Thanks for all the info. I've been really itching to get my band out there to play. We can totally fit into a lot of different situations. Mellow lounge stuff, more jazzy improvised stuff, or just straight up groove and dance stuff. I can't tell you how many times I've been to Vegas and just cringed at what they've got going on in some of those bars, but other times, I've heard really good stuff too. The Cirque De Solei players are really tight. That's a whole different league for me. I saw O. It blew me away. Ripping bassist.

adrian garcia · #8 12-30-2006, 01:39 AM

I cringe, too, bro. I hope I wasn't one the of the people you cringed at, but fortunately, I have managed to avoid the lounge work a bit. I'm 48 so my pretty boy danceband days are past. Playing a lot of smooth jazz and stuff like that. Just finished Christmas show at Freemont St. Gor a great new years eve gig with amazing players, then it off to some out of town work and some dates at club called Tangerine's - get this, 4 6 minute sets- yep, 6 minute sets while a girl does a burlesque dance, then 54 minute breaks. The stupeder the work, the better it pays.

NickyBass · #9 12-30-2006, 06:25 AM

Thanks for the insight, Adrian. I've been to Vegas many times and have always loved it. Not so much the non-stop action, and grandiose casinos. Every year, I venture farther and farther from the strip and it's a cool town.

I'm at the point in my life where I'm evaluating my options, and you've been helpful. I play alot of theatre gigs on upright around here. My arco is pretty sloppy, but as long as it isn't too technical, I can pull it off. Some of the gigs are for decent theatres, and some are for small community workshops, but there isn't really a huge production to get involved with. I would love to be able to play to larger crowds and with talented thespians.

MakiSupaStar · #10 12-30-2006, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adrian garcia

4 6 minute sets- yep, 6 minute sets while a girl does a burlesque dance, then 54 minute breaks. The stupeder the work, the better it pays.

That's great.

Short sets are sweet. My bandmates complain about them. I dig them because they pay just as much as one of our 3 hour bar gigs.

BUT 4-6 minutes AND you get to watch chicks dance. Must be nice.

If you're getting one of those gigs you're definitely not one of those guys I was cringing at

Seattle_BassMan · #11 12-30-2006, 08:54 PM

Man, I hate those short sets. We do a lot of opening for National Acts (not in Vegas though) and it's always like a 15-20 minute set and then you're done. I hate that....I'm just getting warmed up and then we're done. To me, if I'm gonna play, I'd like to at least play for 45 min to an hour. I mean, it seems great to get paid for doing relatively nothing....until it actually happens ;-)