Should I Wear This or Quit the Band?? I Cannot Believe This.

jgbass · #1 08-09-2006, 06:07 PM

Well, this is a dilemma and maybe multiplied because of being the female bass player in the small big band. I was having a wonderful day today until I read an email that the folks running this band asked me if I wanted a red or blue polo shirt for their more casual gigs. First of all, I don't wear polo shirts with collars, cannot stand them for me, and especially ones that have logos on them. Don't even consider it female clothing. Second, I have never heard of such tacky clothing for a jazz big band that wants to earn money, have a lot of gigs, aspire to some good gigs. Might be good for the local soccer or polo team, but for a gig?

I gave my thoughts about this and the reply was that some band members did not want to spend any money on clothes so they bought shirts. The leader and the female singer do not have to dress like this. THey will wear what they want.

Well, the band members may not want to buy clothes, but isn't it reality to buy clothing for a gig? I don't know why this bothers me so much, but it bothers me a lot. This band was presented in a more professional light, has a lot of good ideas, is coming together, but maybe its just going to be a so-so band, but, again, polo shirts with those collars?? Am I missing something here? I am ready to move on because of this and yet this sounds so petty too.

steve66 · #2 08-09-2006, 06:17 PM

You may regret quiting the band. I would just cut the collar off the shirt.

**Damon Rondeau** · #3 08-09-2006, 06:57 PM

I saw an old Maynard Ferguson concert on the tube, it was from the late 70's (Maynard was riding his "Rocky" wave.)

Maynard had them all turned out in white T-shirts.

jgbass · #4 08-09-2006, 07:05 PM

Steve,

Yes, I would regret quitting the band. It is really moving in a positive direction and has a great manager who is getting us gigs. Removing the collar is an option. Good idea.

Masters2010 · #5 08-09-2006, 08:00 PM

It may just be me, or I might not really understand, but is this really a big deal? I mean, it's just a shirt. Playing in high school music groups, I've seen jazz bands plenty of times wearing polo shirts. Granted that's high school, but really, is it worth quitting because "you don't consider it woman's clothing?"

SBassman · #6 08-09-2006, 08:00 PM

Bizarre.

I'm not a big fan of players wearing the same anything, let alone a polo shirt.

On the other hand, in my view, good projects are not easy to come by, so if the rest of the music is happening, you might need to grin and bear it. [After complaining at least another couple of times to try to talk them out it.

]

peekster · #7 08-09-2006, 09:20 PM

Based on what I've seen here, if I were the bandleader, I'd fire you, Ms. JG, about half a second after I found another bassist who could/would do the gig.

If I were your competitor [another bassist] in your area, I'd be thanking God for your attitude about <sigh, of all things> *polo shirts*! [God help us!]

Words that come to mind: whiner, dilletante, prima donna.

bassmonkeee · #8 08-09-2006, 09:25 PM

I guess that's one way to say it, Jerry.

Do you want the gig, or not? A good gig without having to bother thinking about what to wear? I'll take it if you don't want it.

Aaron Saunders · #9 08-09-2006, 09:29 PM

Little harsh, peekster?

Anyway, while it's a stupid uniform for a band -- MAYBE black polo shirts, but red or blue? Gross...it's just as stupid to quit a band you're otherwise very happy with.

Steve Killingsworth · #10 08-09-2006, 09:39 PM

Your bandleader isn't Paul Anka is it?

nicklloyd · #11 08-09-2006, 10:16 PM

Since peekster doesn't play in any bands...

jgbass: so the band wants to have "a look".... something uniform-esque. not unheard for a big band. If you don't like the polo shirt, would the bandleader accept a blue or red woman's blouse? Is there a compromise that can be reached?

Marcus Johnson · #12 08-10-2006, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicklloyd

Since peekster doesn't play in any bands...

Isn't he the guy that used to play with Steve Morse?

**Freddels** · #13 08-10-2006, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Isn't he the guy that used to play with Steve Morse?

That would be him.

Lucky for JG, he's not her bandleader.

Vandelay · #14 08-10-2006, 06:51 AM

Of course it's very common for larger bands (especially "big band" style groups) to want a consistent look. And polo shirts aren't just for "soccer or polo teams" anymore. They're worn all the time in the corporate world, at church on Sundays, etc, and they're the standard uniform for MANY types of businesses. I think polo shirts seem like a perfectly acceptable band uniform for SOME gigs (especially casual outdoor gigs), but I wouldn't recommend that your band wear them at more formal occasions (i.e. wedding gigs or any other events where your audience might be dressing nicer than that). I would have probably suggested something like solid color bowling-style shirts for even the casual gigs, but that's personal preference.

If it were me, I would suggest to the bandleader that the band have two different uniforms: polos for informal/casual gigs, and something else for formal gigs. The person paying the band should get to choose which of the two uniforms they want to see, not the bandleader.

mje · #15 08-10-2006, 07:43 AM

Unless you're the featured soloist, I'd wear the goddam shirt and smile while doing it ;-)

jgbass · #16 08-10-2006, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vandelay

If it were me, I would suggest to the bandleader that the band have two different uniforms: polos for informal/casual gigs, and something else for formal gigs. The person paying the band should get to choose which of the two uniforms they want to see, not the bandleader.

Thanks guys for the input here. Much appreciated. Actually, the band is going to wear something different for formal gigs. The bandleaders are fine with accepting input, so I did put in my two cents here. Darn, Steve, I know there's a joke in your Paul Anka comment, sorry didn't get it.

Peekster, Join a band, and, per your profile, stop taunting your girlfriend' s cat.

Ed Fuqua · #17 08-10-2006, 09:40 AM

JG - christ, freaking grow up already. It's a shirt, I'd only worry if they asked you to get a lobotomy (although I did hear a funny story from a guy that played guitar in the garage band I was in in junior high. This is about 20 years later, he answered an ad for a punk band and they asked him if he would be willing to cut off an earlobe...). Paul W. played with Bill Evans for crying out loud and HE'LL wear a stupid shirt to a gig. It's called PAYING DUES. If you're such a freaking artist what the **** are you doing playing with a stupid big band anyway?

As an aside, when the Baroness de Pannonica took over as manager for Blakey and the Messengers, the first thing she did was buy everybody an orange tux to wear to gigs.

hdiddy · #18 08-10-2006, 09:53 AM

One of my friends are work is pretty clever and she's got some sewing skills. Every year we get a T-Shirt... some years the graphics are ok and others are rather stupid. With one of the dorky shirts she cut it up, added darts and things, removed some material here and there and now she's got a sexy halter top that still matches the other t-shirts. Pretty clever I thought.

John Sprague · #19 08-10-2006, 10:19 AM

JG, if it's any consolation, I have never seen a woman look bad in a gold shirt.

(even the woman that I hit in the head with a golf ball looked good as they drove away with her, long story)

Aaron Saunders · #20 08-10-2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

JG - christ, freaking grow up already. It's a shirt, I'd only worry if they asked you to get a lobotomy (although I did hear a funny story from a guy that played guitar in the garage band I was in in junior high. This is about 20 years later, he answered an ad for a punk band and they asked him if he would be willing to cut off an earlobe...). Paul W. played with Bill Evans for crying out loud and HE'LL wear a stupid shirt to a gig. It's called PAYING DUES. If you're such a freaking artist what the **** are you doing playing with a stupid big band anyway?

As an aside, when the Baroness de Pannonica took over as manager for Blakey and the Messengers, the first thing she did was buy everybody an orange tux to wear to gigs.

Yeah, but who wouldn't want to wear an orange tux?