connoisseur series500 Posted March 6, 2004 Report Share Posted March 6, 2004 The same is true for most artists unfortunately. I bet novelists and poets starve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardbopjazz Posted March 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2004 I use to be a jazz musician. Playing almost every night after a while sucked. I can understand how someone near 80 years of age having to go out on the road 200 plus days a year would get cranky. Shit, I’d be on the bottle too. I use to wake up the next day around 1 pm, and for the next few hours I still was not fully awake. Before you know it, it's time to play again. It is a hard life. But if you love the music, you do it. If jazz albums would sell, most artists would prefer recording I would think. Well, this is from someone that wasn't that good to keep at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris olivarez Posted March 7, 2004 Report Share Posted March 7, 2004 I see validity in the points that Dan and B3-er are trying to make. On one hand Jimmy shouldn't be abusive towards his audience or sidemen. On the other hand if I was having to make a living that wat when I was 80 I would probably have a pretty sour disposition too. America should show more love to this musical and cultural icon then they are now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzdog Posted March 7, 2004 Report Share Posted March 7, 2004 I don't want to step on anyones toes here, but Jimmy should feel damn lucky that people will still pay to see the man play. All of the excuses in the world don't justify his being abusive and berating his to audiences. Yes he is a genious, yes he is a legend but none of that excuses his behavior. I saw the man play Yoshis a few years back, and he yelled something about "this is only for the fuckin money". Thats not a very apropriate way to act towards a paying audience in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted March 7, 2004 Report Share Posted March 7, 2004 Easy for you to say. I just got done playing three nights at a casino here in northern Michigan to crowds that could care less. What is it about casinos that make people turn into zombies as soon as they walk in? Anyway, I'm just doing these gigs for the money as well. I don't tell the audience that but if I'm 80 years old and still doing it just because I need the money, I probably won't hold my tongue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeweil Posted March 7, 2004 Report Share Posted March 7, 2004 I can follow everyone's points here, but I think there is a minimum of respect for the audience every artist should have, no matter how crappy the place, the circumstances or the audience are. There have been many musicians of his stature that took gigs at old age and still commanded respect and all. Milt Hinton, Ray Brown, Doc Cheatham, Benny Carter ... If he abuses alcohol, it is, after all, his personal responsibilty. Same goes for his stage behaviour. Your personal frustrations do not belong into the music or on stage. Just my opinion as a musician of minor importance - the older I get, the more relaxed I get and the less an issue I make of non-attentive audiences etc. We'll talk about it again 30 years from now, when I'm turning 80 .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzmessenger Posted March 7, 2004 Report Share Posted March 7, 2004 Why does Jimmy Smith still have to gig for the money? I don't know about social security system here very well, but doesn't he get pension from the goverment? He ought to be making some money from his copyrighted materials, too. I just don't understand why he still has to work for money (and not for the love of music). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connoisseur series500 Posted March 7, 2004 Report Share Posted March 7, 2004 (edited) Easy for you to say. I just got done playing three nights at a casino here in northern Michigan to crowds that could care less. What is it about casinos that make people turn into zombies as soon as they walk in? Do you play jazz or R&B/Blues at those casinos, Jim? I know when my mother goes to casinos, her full concentration is on the slots. I don't go to casinos myself. (I know too many other ways to get rid of my money) Edited March 7, 2004 by connoisseur series500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted March 7, 2004 Report Share Posted March 7, 2004 I play with the R&B/blues band. I've gotten used to unattentive audiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonm Posted March 8, 2004 Report Share Posted March 8, 2004 I wouldn't necessarily assume that every jazz musician that is still playing at 80 is doing it solely for the money......well we all need money but I'm sure some of them continue to play because the love the music, love recording and love playing for people. I would have to say that many of these artists are not even selling out small clubs (although Jimmy still seems to pack them in) and should be greatful that people with so many options are spending their time and hard earned cash to see them. While I hope I'm not "forced" to work when I'm 80, a certain amount of respect should be expected....just my opinion. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connoisseur series500 Posted March 8, 2004 Report Share Posted March 8, 2004 I play with the R&B/blues band. I've gotten used to unattentive audiences. Probably worse if you played jazz in those casinos, huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ariceffron Posted March 9, 2004 Report Share Posted March 9, 2004 ive never seen him drinking before/during/after a show. are u sure its alochol. maybe hes going out like a champ with the H-bomb. what do u think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 I saw Jimmy Smith not that long ago in Chicago. I was up front and he saw me smiling at him. He yelled down towards me and said, "What the f^$# you smiling at? I'll come down there smack you up side your head." My wife leaned over and asked me if he was talking to me. I said yes, and Jimmy still looking at us yelled back, "I'll smack your bitch too." I laugh at it now. I don't think I'll go and see him ever again. I am paying to hear you play, If I want to be insulted, I'll go see Don Rickels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete C Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 If he'd threatened me I'd have asked the establishment for my money back. Mingus once turned his back to the audience and farted a fart of Mingusian proportions when I was at a table close to the stage, but when he turned around he had a friendly smile on his face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sal Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 I agree with those who are disgusted by Jimmy Smith's behavior. I have no sympathy for him. If he, or any other musician, hate their jobs so much, they can always go get a nine to five. That will teach them to appreciate what they have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catesta Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 If he'd threatened me I'd have asked the establishment for my money back. Mingus once turned his back to the audience and farted a fart of Mingusian proportions when I was at a table close to the stage, but when he turned around he had a friendly smile on his face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDK Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 I'm pretty sure there was a bootleg of that show floating around, but I hear that Sue quashed it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catesta Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 She must have not seen the income potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete C Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 It was at the Village Gate. 1975. The Adams-Pullen-Walrath band. FWIW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmitry Posted March 11, 2004 Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 (edited) Jimmy looks really trippy in the 1962 Jazz Scene USA segment, so alcohol might be an old tradition. . Edited March 13, 2004 by Dmitry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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