Weird Gigs I Have Played

Most people who have been playing as long as I have (stop giggling) have had their share of strange gigs. It comes with the territory of being "seasoned." One of my early ones was at the Hyatt House in Lincolnwood, Illinois. Now to begin with ...you have to know this hotel was painted purple, which should have been a tip off. Anyway...the people that booked this wedding overbooked the room, meaning there were too many people for the size of the room.

I was in a quartet in my fairly new tuxedo, giant velvet bow tie and ruffled shirt (this was the 60's after all) and set up before the leader arrived. It was obvious that there would not be enough room for the band. The leader arrived and saw the same thing. He was ticked. Not at me...but with the stupid situation. You see, union rules require a larger group of musicians for a larger room. If this had been in a larger room to accommodate all these noisy people it would have meant more money for the leader!

I did the only thing I could under the circumstances...I set up in one of the little hallways where the swinging doors were to and from the kitchen. Half in the room...half in the kitchen. Oh it was a fun night...let me tell ya! Got a lot of free food though!
cn