Best Wardrobe for Jazz Ensemble

jhatpro · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2018 7:25 am Post subject: Best Wardrobe for Jazz Ensemble

What do you tihink?
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Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

Richard III · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2018 7:31 am Post subject:

I really like all black with a colorful tie. Just a little splash of color for each person to individualize the look.
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jhatpro · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2018 7:33 am Post subject:

Agree - a great look!
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

Turkle · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2018 7:58 am Post subject:

I personally wear a vest and tie to my jazz gigs. Vests leave the arms free to play the trumpet in a natural position. I dislike playing with a sport coat on.

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kehaulani · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2018 8:23 am Post subject:

I think it depends on the crowd. I've usually played for venues where the crowd and band wore anything that was in good order (and good odor).

But I've also played formats where the location and/or audience was more dressed up. In that case, I like Richard III's suggestion.
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jazz_trpt · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2018 8:46 am Post subject:

I try to make it a point to wear pants.
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jhatpro · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2018 8:57 am Post subject:

Better than skirting the issue, Jeff.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

kehaulani · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2018 9:15 am Post subject:

maynard-46 · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2018 9:57 am Post subject: Best Wardrobe for Jazz Ensemble

Pretty simple...I've always judged it as my band should should be dressed ONE level/step HIGHER than the audience. So if the audience is VERY casual (T-shirt/jeans) then my band would wear dress slacks and a nice, dress shirt. If it's a posh club where the clientele is wearing dress slacks and dress shirts then my band would go to black dress pants/tie/white shirts and maybe matching vests, etc.

Butch
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Denny Schreffler · Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2018 4:09 pm Post subject:

jhatpro · Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2018 7:00 pm Post subject:

And no doubt they played Bare Necessities, Skin Deep, and Baby It’s Cold Outside...rim shot...
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

Oncewasaplayer · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 974

My comment is that performance is more than playing music at your very best. Performance is about creating connection and interaction with the audience. How you choose to present yourself is part of the performance. Look at photos of Ornette and Sonny Rollins dressed for concerts at the ends of their careers. They chose clothing that made a statement of sorts. You took one look and you knew you were in for something interesting. So what sort of statement are you making on the stage?

Now I don't wear colorful custom jackets like Ornette but I do put a bit of thought into how the band will look on the stage. I think it's a mistake to have everyone dress the same--variation is interesting. Remember you're putting on a show.
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HERMOKIWI · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 2581

The question is "What's the BEST wardrobe?" It's hard to beat the elegant look of black tuxedos. It certainly worked for the MJQ.

I have a swing orchestra (16 instrumental musicians, 3 female vocalists and me as leader). Last season the instrumental musicians wore black T-shirts with our logo on them in gold, black pants, black socks and black shoes. The vocalists wore 1940's style attire (dresses, gloves, hats, heels, jewelry). I wore a black tuxedo.

However, we changed things for our last performance last season: The instrumental musicians were all in black tuxedos, the vocalists were all in long dresses and I wore a white dinner jacket. It classed up our act a lot and the audience loved it. So, this season the instrumental musicians will be in black tuxedos for every performance.
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dershem · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 4:57 pm Post subject:

dershem · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 4:58 pm Post subject:

How you dress depends a lot on the venue, IMO. Sometimes dark slacks and a band shirt are enough, other places a suit works best, and there are places where a tux or a polo shirt are appropriate. I don't think there is any one "best".
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