Memorable New Year's Eve Gigs

Ike Harris · #1 12-29-2009, 08:45 AM

Hey Gang - I thought since hardly anyone I know has a NYE gig this year thanks to the screwed up economy, why not start a thread on memorable gigs on that wacky night of amateur drinkers and schlocky musical endeavors, hopefully followed with a nice check at least at the end of the night. In better times, one year I had THREE gigs on one NYE. An early evening one that eludes my memory, a later one with a society band for a bunch of politicos, and an after hours trio in the same hotel, where I had to sub out the first hour to make. So let us hear what gig stands out as something you'd like to share with us on TB. Ready, GO.

Ike

Ed Fuqua · #2 12-29-2009, 08:52 AM

Not really a gig, more a hang. A buddy of mine who owns a studio in Brooklyn opened it for NYE - booze, food, 9 foot Steinway - mostly for folks who weren't working, but it went late enough that a bunch stopped by afterward. Andy Middleton, Walt Szymanski, Jon Easton, Jon Raney, buncha cats. I didn't have a gig, so I was there at about 8:30pm. It finally broke up at about 6:30 the next morning and it was pretty much music all night long.

Jason Sypher · #3 12-29-2009, 08:56 AM

Played a gig at The Boynton's house (the woman behind all those cartoons). We were paid well, ate our weight in food and left with a mug and a calendar.

Marcus Johnson · #4 12-29-2009, 01:08 PM

A few years ago, I flew down to Tahiti for a New Years' gig with Amy Hanali'i and Willie K (two major stars of the Hawaiian music scene). We were hired to do a hotel show for the glitterati, one of those $1000/plate deals. Maybe 500 well-heeled patrons, very nice crowd. We finished up at about 1:00 am.

So the promoter then upped the ante. Willie K has a huge worldwide following, and especially in Tahiti. The guy asked us to play a quick set at a big festival at a big sports stadium, an all night thing, bunch of bands, we'd close the show, as a "surprise" finale, for the folks who couldn't normally afford to go see Willie and Amy. So we headed over and waited for our slot. By this time, the crowd (maybe 20,000, mostly young folks) was mostly exhausted from dancing and drinking all night. We hit the stage, unannounced, just as the sun was coming up. When the crowd recognized who was coming out onstage, they just erupted. It was electrifying. Willie and Amy did not disappoint, even though they were both pretty well spent.

This gig was on a Sunday, as I recall.... and the next flight back to Maui was not until Wednesday, so we were forced to take an extra few days paid vacation in Tahiti.

It's so hard sometimes.

Ed Fuqua · #5 12-29-2009, 01:26 PM

Allow me to be the first to say **** You.

Mike Goodbar · #6 12-29-2009, 01:28 PM

Just gotta twist that knife, don'tcha Marcus??

Mine was a Chicagoland gig, theme of the party was "Artists and Models." Guests provided with sketchpads, and several beautiful nude models were on hand as subjects. Oh, did I mention the models were nude? And beautiful?

Paul Warburton · #7 12-29-2009, 01:33 PM

Yeah, Marcus. that musta been tough to deal with.

My favorite New Years gig was with Al Hirt (Jumbo, to his friends) in Vegas when I was doing some traveling with him. We got huge bucks, new tuxedos and certain other unmentionable perks....one not legal and another kinda legal in that state

.
But more that all that, was a response to a request from an older lady to the piano player that was with us at the time that I'll never forget:

She: "I've heard some of your "jazz jargon"...like hep, cool baby and such, but I'd love to hear something said to me in a more personal way in your jazz talk...please?
He: (after finishing a run up the keyboard). "Scoff yo' box!!"