Last night I played trumpet with the Guy Lombardo Orchestra in Vegas! Yes -- *the* Guy Lombardo Royal Canadians band. At the Tropicana Casino ballroom. Of course, Guy Lombardo is currently pushing up daisies. Al Pierson bought the rights to the Lombardo orchestra and music. Al plays piano and runs the show. Somehow he knows Parker Crouse (who plays in our Monday night college jazz band) and likes his sax style (he is actually cutout for that Lombardo type stuff). Al wanted Parker to get a bunch of guys together to play his Vegas gig. So we rode there in Parker's van. It was a long way to go for a one-night deal. That's ok, I'll take the $200 just to say I did it. Plus they paid travel and hotel and food.
There were a couple of really good players in the band. Mike Crotty runs the jazz department at ASU. He played reeds and also trumpet. He is pretty darn good on both. He is an arranger -- we played several of his tunes. His wife sang. Reading his charts was a challenge -- four, five, sometimes six sharps. I sight-read all night. Definitely kept me on my toes.
There were probably 300 or 400 dancers there. Tickets were $50 a piece. Also the 2004 & 2005 jitterbug champion couples were there to show off. It was a hoot. We did all right -- Al actually complimented me on the horn work.
So now I can call myself a professional musician. Of course, you know how to make a small fortune in music? Start with a large fortune. I don't plan on quitting my day job.