Scott Henderson Discussion

[tribalfusion]

Hi Scott,

I noticed a date listed for you at Reggie's in Chicago on August 24th and wondered if you had any others planned in the US?

Thanks!

[Scott Henderson]

Right now Reggies is the only confirmed date for August, then we have a few gigs in Mexico. I'll post any other dates on my website if they happen.

[tribalfusion]

[Scott Henderson]

My agent knows about that venue but hasn't booked it. I'll ask him why, but I'm sure it's about money... it always is. It could be that we're asking more than the guys you mentioned. We don't drive around in the states, it's flights only, I'm sure I have bigger gear rental costs, and I pay my guys the same salary in the US that I do overseas. It's pretty hard to find venues in the states that pay what we need, but a few of them are around, like the Iridium and Reggies. I'm playing at The Velvet Note in Atlanta next week, but with musicians from there because it was too short notice to bring my guys. I'm subbing for Larry Coryell, who's unfortunately in the hospital - I hope he gets well soon.

BTW, I played Johnny D's many times - they paid 800 dollars, no hotel rooms. That's 800 for the band.... I don't do that shit anymore. We make three times that much at the Baked Potato here in LA.

[tribalfusion]

[Scott Henderson]

I'm going to post the Atlanta dates, just waiting for confirmation of the other musicians. I haven't posted Reggie's yet because there might be another gig - waiting to find out.

Yes, driving would make sense if there were a string of gigs that close together, but unfortunately we weren't able to make that happen this time. The offers on the east coast have been very low and after expenses and paying my guys, I'd be lucky to break even.

I asked Berklee if they'd be interested in a clinic and they offered me 300 bucks. I tried to be polite as possible when I said no. I wish I had better news, but my agent is always trying to find me work in the states - we won't give up.

[tribalfusion]

[Scott Henderson]

It's funny you say that because the New Morning is one of the lowest paying clubs in Europe. I'll never play there.

Gigs in South America, Central America, Europe, and Asia usually offer more than twice or even three times the money that the best gig in the US (Iridium) offers. That's why American jazz musicians are always out of the country.

But all is not lost - I was able to play over 10 gigs in the states last year. In my opinion that's pretty good. This year has been tougher, but we'll try again in 2017.

Suhr has asked me to do clinics in cities where they have dealers, so I'll do one in Boston if we can find a good paying venue there next year.

[muddytrane]

Yeah it sucks that you have to put up with the low pay here in the States because not only does it keep you and the band from making a living but deprives your fans from seeing you live. I live in the DC area and haven't seen you in years and it's a long way to NYC or now Atlanta (make sure you guys there go see Scott and support him there, lucky SOB's!) to travel to see you play. I guess even though there are newer venues here in the DC area that bring in jazz artists, there is still not enough money offered to make it worth your while. Although I hate that it's this way I do understand your decision. I hope that it changes here soon so you can come back because I know many of your fans here keep asking why you haven't been back here. I have even discussed with a few of them about raising the necessary money ourselves and getting a venue and hotel accommodations to bring you back! That was great info you talked about with the money totals involved now and what a beating you took in the past. Gives us a perspective on what it takes to get you here now and that playing places in the past was for the love of the music and definitely not the pay!

[Scott Henderson]

I'm a late dad - I'm 61 and my daughter is only 12. Before she came along I had pretty much no obligations and could drive around the states and make little to no money and it was cool - I love playing and I didn't care about money back then. I still love playing but I don't leave my daughter to go on the road unless the money is decent, so we need at least 200 people paying 20 bucks a ticket to make a gig financially worthwhile - that's pretty difficult in the states, however we made it happen last year and all the promoters seemed happy. This year my agent is telling me that promoters just don't have the money. We were working on Milwaukee after Chicago but it fell through because the promoter would only guarantee 600 bucks... ouch. Anyway, my agent's info is on my website so if anyone knows of a good venue in their city, please contact him. Thanks!

[spellbound]

If you gig up near Wisconsin, the band can sleep in my basement. I'll throw in McDonalds... I mean, I'll throw down McDonalds to you.

[larue nickelson]

This is totally self-serving as I would love to see you live again....

Largo Cultural Center (In Florida...Tampa Bay area) has been having some good concerts of late .... Allan H, Stu Hamm, Hiroki, Carl Verheyen next week.

JUst a thought ...I have no idea if they pay enough and all of that jazz.

http://www.largo.com/department/?fDD=15-0

[tribalfusion]

[Kevin Thomas]

I didn't know about that. So fun! Here in France I've seen that kind of cruise, but it's made for old ones, and the artists are 60s or 70s variety has been's. Nothing quite like this.

Do you manage to get your family with you on the boat? Then it's like touring without having to leave them, it's cool.

To comment on your difficulties to get gigs and earn a little money: Don't you wish (sometimes) that you play shit music with dancers, fireworks, laser lights and everything that goes with it? Maybe we all would get a chance to see you live... But on the other hand we probably would not want to.

[Kevin Thomas]

I was talking about that kind of cruise : http://www.croisiere-club.com/blog/croisiere-age-tendre-et-tete-de-bois-2014/