Shaddup already

[Greg]

About a zillion years ago Dizzy Gillespie appeared on a short-lived TV talk show hosted by Sammy Davis Jr. Gillespie emphatically stated that if anyone spoke so much as one word during a set at Buddy Rich’s NYC club, the bill would appear on the table immediately. In other words, if anyone dared speak at all during the music that person would immediately be asked to leave.
That struck me as autocratic, even though I was well aware of how often jazz is jeopardized by people who consider it to be background music for their conversation.
Last Friday, April 4th, I finally got around to checking out the Cellar. My first impressions are surprise that it’s such a small venue, and that talent like the Campbell Ryga Quintet draws such a small Friday night crowd. The Cellar’s management and Ryga’s musicians deserve enormous gratitude for presenting such great music. If I could go out on a limb I’d select pianist Chris Sigerson and trumpeter Kevin Elaschuk (who was playing his first gig with the band) for special mention. But with a quintet like that, special mention should really be universal. Fucking great stuff!
If this is any indication of Vancouver talent I’ll definitely be back for more, as often as funds allow.
But.
The Buddy Rich policy came to mind. Someone talked through much of the second set. (Maybe the first too -- I wasn’t there.) I turned around to see a very confident middle class matron who looked right back at me while she continued to yak away.
This isn’t the only place I’ve seen the problem. The Pacific Bluegrass and Heritage Society presents occasional concerts at WISE Hall in the East End. You might think that these events are for aficionados, and for the most part the audience really does appreciate the music. But every concert I’ve attended there included a few table-loads of loud women who were oblivious to anything but themselves.
The problem isn’t limited to music. The last movie I saw at Pacific Cinemateque, a members-only venue for film buffs, was ruined by incessant talking throughout the audience.
But there’s something funny about the talk-aholic matron at the Cellar. It turned out -- at least it appeared -- that she was a friend of some of the musicians.
With friends like these...

[Morgan Childs]

"We'd like to remind you, we don't applaud here at the jazz workshop. If you must applaud, save it 'till the end of the set. Also, don't get any drinks or ring the cash register, dig? The reason is, your noise disturbs us."

Those are the words of the immortal Charles Mingus. When was the last time you heard an artist say THAT to an audience? Well, the truth is, I've NEVER heard it and there's probably a reason for that. The Cellar has a well known listening policy, and (sometimes with the help of a few dirty looks) it's usually pretty well enforced. But, if you want people to come and hang and eat and drink and listen to your music, you can't get too too uppity about the no talking policy. If jazz musicians get a reputation as being snobs, then people won't come.... people not coming means no gigs. I play gigs in other places where there would be NO chance at getting certain people to listen. It's dissapointing that I'm not the star attraction in these peoples lives, but it's also reality. And often the people who are talking and laughing and having a good time are the ones who have complimented me or other members of the band during the break. I prefer people having a good time and listening to the music to having them feel like they're under the gun, and resenting it. AND even the most ignorant and uninformed listener will drop everything and really get into music worth listening too. Such is the case when Campbell plays his horn... I've literally seen people who were talking drop EVERYTHING to check him out. I guess this is just a musicians perspective on it. As long as people aren't being outright RUDE and have some concept of what's going on... it really doesn't bother me that much. But every musician will have a different point of view on this one.

[cweeds]

Im glad you had a good time at The Cellar Greg and I don't think, in fact Im positive that Campbell's crowd on Friday was indicative of his draw. Saturday was packed and on Friday night Seamus Blake and Brad Turner were playing at Capilano College so a lot of our regular clientle was there for sure.

Morgan you make some good points about the noise and the musicians response to it. Its a fine line but I think for the most part its pretty well under control at The Cellar. We have an off night sometimes where there just simply isnt anything we can do about it but I would say 95% of the time its just fine.

[cweeds]

Also Greg I wanted to mention that Cam and Kevin have a great CD on CELLAR LIVE called Any Answers. Its available at the club and is an amazing disc. Pick it up.

[reddiva]

Not to flog the horse any further, but...
Greg, if you, or any customer at the Cellar, feels that someone's conversation level is impeding your enjoyment of the music, BY ALL MEANS, tell one of the staff. As manager, I have approached many customers during performances at the Cellar and asked them to keep it down, and not once has it been a problem. Most of the time, they really don't know they're bothering anyone, and quickly apologize and hush up. From where I am in the club(behind the bar, usually), I can't always tell who's being loud and who isn't.
I'm glad, as Cory said, that you enjoyed your time at the club. I certainly hope you come down again soon.