Jitterbug Cafe is periodically hosting musicians for live performances. We are a small, privately owned cafe just inside the Fairfield community. Currently we are not charging a cover or admittance, and as such our ability to pay directly is limited, however tips have been good for the musicians who have performed so far. The environment is cozy, the community response has been favorable, and the exposure is good. If you would like to play at Jitterbug Cafe or know someone that would, send us an email at jitterbugcafe@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you!

-David and Melinda Kennedy
Jitterbug Cafe
cafejitterbug.com

David and Melinda,

What is your budget for a three-hour engagement?

The musicians so far have played from 7-9PM on weekends for tips, being on average $40. It's not as much as their talent is worth, but it's what we can offer right now with the set-up we have. Both ourselves and the community are very thankful to the artists and musicians who have shared their talent here.

-David and Melinda

Just to give you some perspective, David & Melinda:

During the week (mon-thurs) the standard scale is $100-$150 per musician. On the weekends $150-$200... plus tips.

And this is not private party money;no,this is just public club/eating establishment pay.Such venues allow musicians to showcase their material,so that we may attract buyers for better-paying gigs.If someone buys out a normally public establishment for a private party,we hope to be paid more,if we are asked to play for the private party.

Although we appreciate the helpfully intended feedback, we know from the people who have played here what their normal fee is. Unfortunately as much as we'd like to be able to cover those rates, we just can't with our venue.

These are not private parties, but rather music nights free and open to the public.

We very much appreciate your time in reading and responding to our request. Consider it to be an open invitation for anyone to contact us if they are interested in participating in a cozy open venue for music free to the public.


Thank you,

David and Melinda Kennedy
Jitterbug Cafe

Dana, your video post was inappropriate and offensive in the context of what we are trying to do. We are a small, privately owned cafe trying to serve as a venue for musicians who wish to play and be heard by the community. Your response basically compares our cafe to the MGM corporation trying to sell someone's talent without compensation, which isn't a fair comparison. You posted what is basically an attack on our ethics and method of conducting business without bothering to check out our position. Obviously, by looking at your profile you are already a seasoned and successful music professional and not interested in participating in our current program as the monetary return is beneath your standards. We know you can easily find other, more profitable uses of your time and we wish you nothing but the best with whatever you decide to do.

To anyone who wishes to find out what is really going on with the live music at Jitterbug Cafe, we are still building our website, but there is a lot of information already up. You can also check us out on Facebook, and you are welcome to come by and see us if you are interested. My wife and I are almost always there working unless we are out getting supplies.

We apologize for the long post, and thank those of you who read through it for your time.


-David and Melinda Kennedy
Jitterbug Cafe

David and Melinda, I know that you mean well, and I wish you all the best, but this is the sort of gig that would be fun if one were living near your venue, had a night off and just wanted to go somewhere cozy and casual to play some songs in public in return for tips, a nice meal and a few drinks.

The fact is, though, that most of us make our livings with music and have to keep our prices competitive just to keep food on our tables and our rents paid. That's why you probably won't find any takers for your offer here. (It's a touchy subject that's been broached many times before on this forum.) Please try not to take offense if our knickers get a little twisted at this kind of offer. Try asking your staff if they'll work only for tips, see how that goes over. It's the same with us.

Best of luck to you both.

A good many people can't tell the difference in quality between one group of musicians and another;perhaps a call to the nearest college with a music department would yield the results you seek;maybe not,though,'cause college music teachers like me ,tell our students not to leave the house for less than 100.Like Julia said,we've got to make a living.Or,as the Hooker said to the College girl,"Why are you giving it away?"

LOL

This guy gets paid to take a p!$$. Where can I sign up for that job?

From Craigslist posting:

"If You're a Restaurant/Bar/Venue Looking For Live Entertainment..."



... and you don't want to pay (except maybe in food, drinks, tips):

"You need to pay your servers, line cooks, prep cooks, porters, bus & waitstaff, suppliers, rent, utilities, cleaning service, and so forth. Right? After all, if you don't pay for these, you won't have a restaurant. Well, guess what: if you want to offer live music, you need to pay musicians. It's very simple. If you're not willing to pay for it, then don't have it. Please. Have some respect and be honorable: choose not to take advantage of people. If you need meat, you've gotta pay the butcher. If you want flowers on the tables, you've gotta pay the florist. If you need music, you've gotta pay the band.

Bravo to the Craigslister who made this point, albeit with more humor than I have:"

"'Here's my counteroffer: Come to my house with all of your cooking utensils and food to cook for me and my friends in our own weekly jazz series, which takes place each Monday night from 6-8pm. You will be paid by listening to me and my friends play jazz while you cook. We are looking for chefs who can also promote our series to other jazz-loving chefs. My kitchen is small, so you'll have to figure out how to still do a great job with minimal space. Please reply with dates of availability beginning Monday 5/10.'"


The above was originally posted by a Lister in New York, but the principle is the same here as well. Many of us pro musicians have put in countless hours of study and practice and blood, sweat, and tears to be able to serve the community and its venues. (such as your fine establishment) We've also paid a lot of money to go to school and seek out other private education in an effort to improve our product. Please respect what we have sacrificed as we have also put our livelihoods and life savings on the line to pursue the business that we love just as you have for yours. If you want weekend-warrior type talent, throw your neighbor that you hear jamming in the garage a few free beers and good luck keeping your customers happy. If you're looking for serious, entertaining musicians that keep your venue in the public word-of-mouth, expect to pay for it reasonably! (FYI, good musicians in Houston generally work at a MINIMUM of $125 each musician per night at a venue such as a bar, club, or restaurant. Before you go off spouting "That's ridiculous!" understand that we've had that rate in place for almost 30 years without an increase while the cost of a beer has almost tripled. How would you like to go 30 years without a pay raise? I think the rate is more than fair!)

One other quick note, if you're expecting the band to bring in 50+ people/night, you have to give them time to build a clientele at your establishment. Just because we have 1000 people on FaceBook or an email list doesn't mean all of them want to come out in 5 days for a one-time event to eat your food and drink your booze when your venue is 20 miles from the last place they saw us play in Houston. Give us time and let us help you grow. Besides, the musicians' main function isn't to bring you all of your business. That's why you advertise. Our job is to keep the clients you have there longer so they buy more and tell their friends what a great place you have and bring them with them next time. Everyone knows, word-of-mouth is the best advertising! Consider the folks we bring with us gravy.

All that said, we wish you much success and, after reading this, if you still want a freebie, I suggest you call the high school kids, the folky songwriter guitar guy, or that guy in church with "the wonderful voice." Better yet, don't insult them either and hire a DJ, though you'll find they get a similar rate to us and a good one makes more. Or you can go with the UberCheese One-Man-Band that may as well be singing karaoke with his cheesy synthesizer and drum machine. (I think I just threw up in my mouth a little...) If you're looking for serious live music and professional musicians, let us know and we'll be happy to work it out! Seriously, a little respect makes us VERY easy to work with and VERY motivated to help you be more successful. Most of us have done this a long time and know how to help.


* Location: Houston, TX
* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
* Compensation: Free Food and Drinks! (C'mon, really? Do you really think I got a Master's Degree in Music for that?)



PostingID: 1731079634

Good points by all. I have to add this--with a great name like Jitterbug Cafe I think people will be expecting live music.

David and Melinda, I'd like to add this. Everyone you have heard from are amazing players with outstanding credentials. It's in everybody's best interest for you to succeed and grow which will give these fine folks another venue to play. It's a win-win. Maybe start with a singing piano player like Pamela, and as business picks up and Jitterbig's reputation grows, a rhythm section of bass and drums can be added. Just some food for thought.
Cary Kuperman

They have PB&J on the menu. That is beyond awesome. I may drive out there just for that.

This is such a touchy subject, obviously. I have mixed feeling about it actually, having operated a cafe myself.

A few thoughts:

You might consider hosting a jam/open-mic to allow aspiring performers an opportunity to showcase their material. It'll also give you a sense of the quality out there.

Obviously you're not operating with a budget on par with the large corporate venues around town (The Tasting Room, etc.). The professional players obviously gravitate towards those type establishments because of the pay-o-la, even if they're ignored by patrons and treated like servants by managers. At the same time, many of the same great players regularly appear on lower paying gigs like Brasil, Avant-Garden, The Chocolate Bar, etc.. Those gigs hold appeal because people actually go there to hear music and because the venues encourage experimentation.

Ultimately, you'll be able to attract plenty of quality performers if you create a nice space in which to perform (attentive listeners, in-house PA, etc.). They may not be "professional" musicians, but as Joel said, most people could care less about that distinction. You should consider hosting the occasional show for cover too.

Best of luck. Looking forward to my sam'ich.

Coracao, you are absolutely right, and that is exactly what we have been looking for. I wasn't expecting to offend people by extending an offer of a place to play.

This is indeed not the kind of gig to do if you are playing to put food on the table. I was referred to this forum by a friend, but it seems you are correct that this is not a good forum to post such a request. I apologize for any offense, and thank you for your advice. I will post again if and when I am able to fully compensate you for your time and talent. Thank you again.

-David Kennedy
Jitterbug Cafe

I think this is what, in current parlance, is known as a teachable moment (and I'd like to personally deliver a swift kick in the rear to whoever crafted that igmo phrase in the first place!) Y'all sound like good people, and I'm with Andrew -- I can't wait to come visit. PB&J? That's just awesome!

No offense taken, we're all emotionally undamaged, and I guess everyone feels better now. Hope to come out soon! (Sure wish I didn't live so far away.)

David,

Take Andrew's words to heart as he has small venue experience. My above post wasn't so much to offend back as it was to show a matter of perspective. Too many venue owners take musicians for granted and don't think that what we do is a profession but just a hobby. I can tell you that your words ring of sincerity and not just "another club owner trying to take advantage of us." That is why you're getting more tempered responses now and we, as musicians, appreciate your position and honesty. I think that there is a compromise situation available, if you're interested in quality, professional music on a budget.

Believe me, all of us musicians understand financial constraints, especially in times like these. Consider lower paying gigs on off-nights a la Brasil, Avant-Garden, and Chocolate Bar. I think, if I'm not mistaken, they have about a $150 budget at those venues? (correct me if I'm wrong guys... I haven't done one in a long time) Great players are willing to take less to play those venues because of the clientele (and great house bands that tend to attract better players...) and the nights they get to play (usually Wed or Sun) and the fact that they get to play "their" music. In other words, not just background, "you're too loud!" or "you're too experimental" kinda music. Coffee shops tend to be the kind of venue that can be very symbiotic and successful with more creative music as well.

The jam session is also a great idea, again on an "off-night" for the pro guys. I know that King Biscuit has a very successful jam session on Tuesdays with a modest budget. Trust me, they are usually packed. And being out this way, there are a lot of musicians on this side of town that would like to go to a jam session and not have to drive as far.

I look forward to checking out your place as I live in the Cypress area! Hope to get to visit with you when we drop in! Best of luck to ya!

...I used to dream of having a place that had PB&J on the menu. My in-laws-to be live out that way. I too would like to check the joint out.

I appreciate a topic which has drawn such interest and posting on this site. I miss the days when more people interacted here. I guess facebook has taken much of that area.

This is certainly a hot-button issue with working musicians.

Thank you for posting this, Jitterbugs. I hope your business is a successful endeavor!

Thank you all for your understanding and show of support. I think we'll take your advice and look more specifically for people wanting to do jam sessions and/or an open mic type thing to help build into a regular music schedule. We've only owned Jitterbug since the end of January, and right now we'd be happy having a warm body with an instrument on a regular basis, ha! If you guys do decide to stop in for a PB&J, let us know you're from JazzHouston. If you've got the time and I can get out from behind the counter for a minute, I'd love to talk with you a little!

-David Kennedy
jitterbug Cafe

I work both sides of the aisle here; I lay for $$ and I play for the enjoyment. Dana and others are correct that you cannot expect a quality professional musician to play for tips. HOWEVER I have ( and still do) played on occasion for little or no $$ when the event or the music is important to me, so I won't be hypocritical and bitch about anyone else who plays for fun/hobby/whatever.

It is more difficult to find entry-level jazz musicians than other genres because of the skill level and experience needed to actually perform live. I agree with Julia that a jam night would be worth considering, but even a rhythm section would be out of your budget. Contacting the local colleges (including the HCC and JC campuses) would probably be a good direction as well.

Good luck with your venture, and hopefully you will do well enough to consider using some of the more advanced players that participate in this forum.

What is PB&J? Somebody educate me please!

B

I would like to add, that its not in any players best interest to come to an establishment, and provide entertainment that the establishment profits from when the player doesn't. Thats just NOT good business and makes no sense.
When I find a doctor, an attorney, a utility company, a resteraunt, ect, that will work for me for tips, then I will gladly do the same!

B

What is PB & J? Pass, Burrell, and Jim Hall, of course.