Level 42 Digest for Saturday, November 25, 2006

The whole tour topic is interesting to me. I am friends with Bluey from Incognito and we have had the same conversation about his band many times. He would love to do a full blown US tour, but the logistics are nearly impossible. I think the main problem is that unless a CD is released in the US - not as an import, where it is prohibitively expensive, but a mainstream release - it is hard to get tour backing. Sad thing about bands like Incognito and Level 42 is that they have a rabid fan base and people would spend time and money to see them, especially musicians. But, if the money isn't there to fund the tour it is hard to argue with the bands for staying abroad. Bluey told me point blank that Incognito is able to tour in Japan a few weeks each year and they never have to worry about a dime - bands that go over there are paid very handsomely; especially jazz or jazzfunk groups. There are US jazz artists who make almost their entire year's salary by playing for a month in Japan. This is why bands end up going to countries like Indonesia, but don't hit the states. It is simply too bad that good artists can't sustain themselves the same way by playing here in the states...

I'm off my soapbox. For those of you who live in or near London, Christian McBride is playing Ronnie Scott's - Saturday is his last night. If you are a bass lover definitely check out the show. You will not be disappointed. If you get backstage or see him after the show, tell him you are a Levelhead friend of mine...

1. The tour dilemma
From:	Lolitaj @ aol.com <Lolitaj @ aol.com>
Date:	Fri, 24 Nov 2006 08:00:23 EST	[top]
The whole tour topic is interesting to me. I am friends with Bluey from Incognito and we have had the same conversation about his band many times. He would love to do a full blown US tour, but the logistics are nearly impossible. I think the main problem is that unless a CD is released in the US - not as an import, where it is prohibitively expensive, but a mainstream release - it is hard to get tour backing. Sad thing about bands like Incognito and Level 42 is that they have a rabid fan base and people would spend time and money to see them, especially musicians. But, if the money isn't there to fund the tour it is hard to argue with the bands for staying abroad. Bluey told me point blank that Incognito is able to tour in Japan a few weeks each year and they never have to worry about a dime - bands that go over there are paid very handsomely; especially jazz or jazzfunk groups. There are US jazz artists who make almost their entire year's salary by playing for a month in Japan. This is why bands end up going to countries like Indonesia, but don't hit the states. It is simply too bad that good artists can't sustain themselves the same way by playing here in the states... I'm off my soapbox. For those of you who live in or near London, Christian McBride is playing Ronnie Scott's - Saturday is his last night. If you are a bass lover definitely check out the show. You will not be disappointed. If you get backstage or see him after the show, tell him you are a Levelhead friend of mine... Lolita

2. Antwerp, anyone?
From:	Alessandro Maccari <mac @ alessandromaccari.com>
Date:	Fri, 24 Nov 2006 08:18:24 -0800 (PST)	[top]
Hi there, I'm planning to attend next Sunday's gig in Antwerp - anyone out there who: a) knows whether I can find tickets at the counter (i.e. is it already fully booked?) b) wants to join me for a beer before or afterwards (there's an excellent brewery near the cathedral, I remember). Cheers, mac

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