Mueller Lake Park Outdoor Amphitheater
What About Businesses' Loyalty to Musicians?
RECEIVED Mon., June 23, 2008
Dear Editor,
Musicians tend to revere and respect talented peers who have been working at their craft for many years. So do audiences. But what happens when businesses that employ musicians are utterly clueless as to their value? And when businesses part ways with musicians, should any ethical guidelines be considered?
These are important questions in a city that calls itself the live music capital of the world.
Last weekend, singer Suzi Stern and pianist George Oldziey, two of Austin’s most outstanding jazz musicians, were abruptly dismissed from their twice-weekly gig at the venerable Driskill Hotel, a gig they had held for more than five years. Suddenly, months of dates inked onto their calendars had vanished, along with the substantial income they would bring. And of course, Stern and Oldziey had turned down or not pursued many other potential gigs because of their long-term commitment to the Driskill.
The news was broken by a brand new manager with no explanation. Up until that point, the duo had been treated with respect, kindness, and generosity by the Driskill's management, a treatment they had more than earned with their work ethic and consummate professionalism.
The Driskill has the right to fire whomever it chooses. But the abrupt and dishonorable manner of the dismissal, carried out after the hotel’s summer calendar had been safely booked, flies in the face of the supposed value of this city’s musicians. And it raises the question of whether loyalty between venues and musicians has any place in live music capital of the world. I believe it should. In actuality, it rarely does.
Musicians tend to revere and respect talented peers who have been working at their craft for many years. So do audiences. But what happens when businesses that employ musicians are utterly clueless as to their value? And when businesses part ways with musicians, should any ethical guidelines be considered?
These are important questions in a city that calls itself the live music capital of the world.
Last weekend, singer Suzi Stern and pianist George Oldziey, two of Austin’s most outstanding jazz musicians, were abruptly dismissed from their twice-weekly gig at the venerable Driskill Hotel, a gig they had held for more than five years. Suddenly, months of dates inked onto their calendars had vanished, along with the substantial income they would bring. And of course, Stern and Oldziey had turned down or not pursued many other potential gigs because of their long-term commitment to the Driskill.
The news was broken by a brand new manager with no explanation. Up until that point, the duo had been treated with respect, kindness, and generosity by the Driskill's management, a treatment they had more than earned with their work ethic and consummate professionalism.
The Driskill has the right to fire whomever it chooses. But the abrupt and dishonorable manner of the dismissal, carried out after the hotel’s summer calendar had been safely booked, flies in the face of the supposed value of this city’s musicians. And it raises the question of whether loyalty between venues and musicians has any place in live music capital of the world. I believe it should. In actuality, it rarely does.
Susanna Sharpe
