What are your thoughts on being asked to perform for free in arts festivals and other venues?

[WOMEN IN JAZZ SOUTH FLORIDA, INC.]

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 Dear Festival Director,
I so appreciate being considered for performance at your event. However, I live in Florida. I was unaware that this was to be a FREE performance, when I paid $10 to register and submit my materials.

I am the founder and executive director of WOMEN IN JAZZ SOUTH FLORIDA, INC. We've been in existence since March 2007 and got approved for our 501(c)(3) status on April 26, 2009. However, we do not expect our artists to perform for FREE. This is counter-productive to our mission statement. The purpose of our organization is to promote women musicians, globally. We have offered for FREE a radio show featuring the music of women composers for the past year. But we only present events that PAY our musicians.

So, you will understand why I must decline your offer. There is no way I can pay to come to your city [up North] to work for $25. I get paid $750 for my pianist and me to do our presentation of WOMEN IN JAZZ. I get paid $1,500 minimum for a quartet performance.

I am 61 years old and really not in need of "exposure", the keyword for organizations looking to exploit the talents of musicians. There needs to be an end to this thought process. Most musicians cannot afford to perform everywhere for FREE. It would be good if musicians got a FREE ride when it comes to housing, utilities, auto, gas, food, etc., but we don't. I'm not being funny, here. I'm being realistic.

Music is my profession, not my hobby. The musicians that choose to perform for FREE are usually young and fledgling and have little understanding of the value of their talent. It would be so helpful if organizations like yours would consider getting sponsorship or grant funding to PAY the musicians you recognize as talented enough to perform at your events.

Thanks again for your bid of confidence. I trust you will have a successful event.

All the best,
Joan Cartwright
www.divajc.com

[WOMEN IN JAZZ SOUTH FLORIDA, INC.]

The next question I have for all of you is what techniques do you use for
REINVENTING YOUR ARTISTRY?

I have been challenged in each new decade with reinventing myself.
In my twenties, when I began performing for a fee, I utilized my youth and vitality and fulfilled my need to absorb the purpose of musical studies - self-expression.

In my thirties, I concentrated more on building a repertoire of pieces I could sing and play; and on rehearsing and performing as much as possible with good musicians.

In my forties, I pursued my Master's degree and toured for eight years. When I returned from Europe, I knew I had to be able to do something besides sing, so I studied HTML and website design, while writing articles for Travel & Style magazine and grants to teach about Women in Jazz and Blues to thousands of Broward County students through my corporation, FYI Communications, Inc.

In my fifties, I learned HTML and website design and I owned an art gallery and, near the end of that decade, I began compiling my 9 books that I completed and published by the end of my sixtieth year, along with several concert reviews written for a local newspaper.

Now, at 61+a half (smile), I'm the founder of WOMEN IN JAZZ SOUTH FLORIDA, INC., a non-profit organization, in the position to receive grants and sponsorship that could make my dream of WOMEN IN MUSIC MUSEUM in South Florida a reality.

From keypunch operator to legal secretary to touring vocalist to composer to entrepreneur to educator to author to IT specialist to executive director to museum founder, I've reinvented myself, my purpose and my artistry.

What's your story, Morning Glory?

Diva JC

[DAME HILARY CANTO]

Joan...you are describing our unique life's expereince and you are such a fabulous model of how each season of our life brings out the different aspects of who we are and what we came to give to the world.

I've just reached the end of a season too and moving into a new life of who I am...its wonderful!

YOU ARE FABULOUS...what's the plan for your 70's eh?

love & blessings
Hilary

[TANIA-MARIA]

Hi sis,
I agree with you.
I think if one is an up and coming artist, that could be the break they are looking for, the exposure they need. On the other hand, if one is an established artist who paid their dues getting paid for your talent is to be expected.

Donating time for a charity event? That is great!

[Dr. Nelson Harrison]

This is not only an insulting request but it seems to come more frequently from people who are in the upper 10% of society financially. What's the point of getting "exposure" when that exposure also communicates that you are performing for free? I once played for a charitable marathon walk (on the promise that we would make $50 for about 30 minutes of playing), when the MC for the event asked the 2000+ members of the crowd to applaud the great musicians who were "donating" their time and talent for this great cause. I immediately went to the bandleader and asked for verification because I was truly upset. He assured me that the promised pay was good. Then I went directly to the MC (who was a local TV news anchor) and told him not to EVER repeat that statement in public again. It's bad enough out here without help from the news media publicizing that our services are free (even when they are not).

Even when we get paid, it's often an insult. I play with the hottest variety band in my area and we are the favorite band for the gala non-profit fund raising events for incurable diseases. There is usually a silent auction of some artifacts, trips, etc. and then an auctioneer takes the microphone and raises $1 million+ from donations from the attendees. They parade a couple victims of this disease to the podium to pull the heartstrings first, then the plea. I am beginning to wonder why they never seem to find a cure for these diseases... but then,,, if you examine the financial statements of the foundation you find that less than 5% of the money actually goes into research. The rest goes into overhead and fund raising costs.

If that doesn't bust your tolerance meter, the foundation always tries to get a discount from the musicians for the cause celebre. When they try to hire me like that, I first ask them if their toilet paper is free also.

The best answer I have found to this issue is an mp3 audio that I'll post on my page entitled, "I Don't Sang for Free." Listen to the entire clip and you will experience something you may want to include in your repertoire... or even better... use on your answering machine greeting. Nuff said!

[DAME HILARY CANTO]

Hi Joan

Completely in agreement.....it is time musicians and singers were recognised for their worth just as football stars and actors are. Would they ask David Beckham to appear for free...or Tom Hanks? It is time for us to stand in our worth. An occasional charity that we have a heart connection with is a personal choice, the rest are business and respect and reputation based.

Well done!
love Hilary

[Tenia Nelson]

I agree with everyone here!! I say playing for charity is good every once in a while but we are working musicians and need to get paid for what we do. Being a musician is a full time job and we need be paid for our work. Hope all is well....

Tenia:)

[Mimi Johnson]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!