In case you don’t know /haven’t heard I work at the Bassline Jazz Club….it was supposed to be half day (that lasted 3 days) and I have now been there for 3.5 months. I have been working my fingers to the bone; and despite my harassed look at times, I absolutely love it.
I have been trying to work out why I love it so much and have come to the conclusion it is the people. As with any job, after a couple of months the novelty wears off a bit but meeting all these amazing people every day at my club doesn’t get in the least bit boring.
And, you may well ask what is so special about them. Well, they are mostly musicians, singers, drummers, DJ’s, stand up poets and so on. These guys and gals get up on the stage and do their stuff. If they are not really good they don’t get asked back. If they can’t play or sing the right notes no one wants to play with them. When they are in front of an audience and the audience doesn’t like them they are finished – probably won’t be on that stage again. And let’s face it – an audience turns into an instant expert on whatever is being performed…and they are paying the money.
So these guys and gals pitch for their rehearsals with a hungry glint in their eyes; brimming with enthusiasm and they can keep going all day if necessary, perfecting one song or piece of music. They pitch for the gig rehearsed and ready to wow the crowd.
They are judged ruthlessly by their peers and audience. Their work is on display for everyone to see and hear – they can’t be in a bad mood, they can’t hide that they don’t quite know the music that well, they can’t pretend. There is no BS here, They have to be good/better/best at what they do.
