Gary Bartz and Peter Leitch

[bverkerk]

I attended the Nov. 1 show by Gary Bartz and Peter Leitch in North Van and found I was one of only about 50-55 people in the audience.
The previous night, I saw the Brad Turner Quartet at The Cellar. There, I was one of about 15 people.
I'm used to this kind of poor attendance at jazz shows in Kelowna, where I live, but I was surprised to find the same thing in Vancouver, especially for Gary Bartz and Peter Leitch.
At The Cellar, I attributed the poor turnout to the fact it was Halloween night and people had parties to go to. I only caught the first set, so it's possible more people turned up after I left. I hope so -- I don't know how The Cellar can stay in business if only 15 people show up. It must be awfully discouraging for the musicians as well.
Is this typical for Vancouver, or did I hit two "off" nights?

[Morgan Childs]

Yeah, I was at the Cellar AND Peter Leitch, and I saw both turnouts. The Cellar has been getting really busy on weekends, and Brad's night during the week and Bruno's night on Sundays are really starting to pick up, but so far, the weekends have tided that place over. I think the turnout for Brad is usually a little stronger than it was last Wednesday. You should have stayed for the second set! Mike Murley and Kevin Turcotte came and played, and it was great fun.

I think the reason for the poor turnout at the Gary Bartz/Peter Leitch show can be attributed to the fact that it fell on the night before a big show at Cap College with the A Band and the Barry Elmes Quintet, which had a lot more money for promotion and stuff than the Peter Leitch show did. It was just a bad night... the Barry Elmes show was PACKED. Thanks for supporting jazz in Vancouver...

[bverkerk]

Thanks for the information, Morgan.
I'm sorry I missed that second set at The Cellar!