And the show goes on

Here is a street video of a band in New Orleans. Watch as the band doesn't skip a beat as all sorts of distractions happen in the video. The gal in the green sweater with the cornet is the obvious leader although the band goes by the name of Tuba Skinny.

Kehaulani

Lots of clips on YouTube. Trumpet player is Shaye Cohn. Happens to be the granddaughter of saxophonist Al Cohn, FWIW.

http://tubaskinny.com/

chelpres

@Niner What a co-incidence. Never heard of them until yesterday, when someone here in Oz pulled out one of their C.D's. Not my musical preference, but each to their own.
Regards,Tom

JorgePD

Nice! Great way to start my day. Thanks for sharing!

GeorgeB

Tuba Skinny area really great. I've been watching their stuff on you tube for sometime now.

@GeorgeB said in And the show goes on:

Tuba Skinny area really great. I've been watching their stuff on you tube for sometime now.

I've watched them for a while too. It's the whole package that attracts. Out on the street playing for tips at the bottom of the "gig" list. Hardly a music video by a famous known group. It is believably spontaneous. A folding tv dinner tray holding some vanity market produced recordings and CD's and a tip box. They aren't reading music, they have it in their heads moving through transitions like trapeze artists. Several of the band members have obvious talent and the ones with talent seem to be in every video along with a few players that seem to be interchangeable.

We read about Greenwich village music scene in New York in the 50's and 60's producing Bob Dylan and lots of lessor lights. Then there is the Nashville scene for county music that has been hot and cold over time. New Orleans seems to be the active scene for jazz and popular music today as much, and maybe more so, than ever. I saw plenty of groups playing in public and plenty more playing in bars and dives on a recent trip to New Orleans.

Shaye is a talented piano player too. Do like their selection of music, many songs I have never heard before.

Their singer interprets the songs very well. Definitely a unique band.

Kehaulani

I'm not sure there is anything unique or romantic about this. I definitely believe in giving credit where credit's due, but I've heard music like this my entire life. And playing on the street, let's not overlook the setting. This is a prime location in a jazz capital of the world. If it didn't pay, they likely wouldn't be doing it.

Busking tells me more about the sad state of music business today that such talent busks for tips to make ends meet. Keep in mind that most of them have other musical jobs as well.

I made a full-time living in my latter phase of music making by putting a mosaic of music together. Phase one, I was a composer/arranger soley, phase two a conductor soley, but the latest phase, I had to put arranging, conducting, teaching and playing - and that included busking - together to keep the wolf from the door.

And, while the number of gigs remained constant, I often had to travel further and further to do them. YouTube, et al, for free should be against the law. I still don't understand the lack of controls. It has transformed the music business.

One other thing regarding spontaneity - Shaye strikes me as being a bit controlling. I bet all of this, except for the improvised solos, is well rehearsed with little left to chance.

@Kehaulani I'm sure they must have rehearsed. The band members had to have at least latched onto a familiarity of the melody ahead of time. If Shaye seems to be controlling, how else would she act on a public street with all sorts of distractions and band members that are possibly new substitutes winging a tune? It must be a little like trying to herd cats.

I like the guts of a band like that.