David J. Hahn at IBDB
On a Clear Day at IBDB

It’s time for some new advice.

Continue Reading on MusicianWages.com…

I thought I’d record a new song for her and send it as a gift. So I came home last night and recorded “It Could Happen To You”, one of my favorite standards. I thought I’d also share it here with you as well.

Furthermore, it is without a doubt the most contrived, over-rehearsed, tightly-wound, awkward performance shown on major media all year. The Washington D.C. 4th of July concert isn’t even as awkward as the half-time show always is. The field is always impossibly large for the teeny little performer to fill. The stunts are always huge and obvious. The performances always seem stiff.

What I noticed this time is the field full of synchronized dancers performing exceptionally simple choreography in a largely un-synchronized way. Compare, if you will the two clips below. First, of last night’s half-time show and, second, the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. We have a long way to go if we want to compete with the Chinese on mass choreography.

Thanks to all my friends who came out to Valhalla in Hell’s Kitchen on Sunday night for my birthday celebration. I was so happy to see everyone.

Below are details, visit MimiCohen.net for more info:

To Carry On…

A Play Written & Performed by Mimi Cohen
With the music of Laura Nyro
Celebrating the life and music of ’60′s singer/songwriter Laura Nyro
Directed by Gretchen Cryer
Music Direction & Orchestration by Jeffrey Klitz
Featuring Pianist David J. Hahn

*To Carry On … has been awarded fiscal sponsorship from The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA).
NYFA’s mission is to empower artists at critical stages in their creative lives!

A NEW One-Week Run This January 2011 at the Cherry Lane Theatre:

The Cherry Lane Theatre
38 Commerce Street (just off Seventh Avenue South)

To Carry On… will have a one-week run at The Cherry Lane Theatre this January 2011! One week may sound like a short run but for an independent artist like me, the financial responsibility of this performance is enormous. Please consider making a 100% tax-deductible donation in support of this project. A secure online contribution can be made at the “NYFA” website: www.NYFA.org.

SHOW SCHEDULE:

Wed. 1/19/2011 @7pm
Thurs. 1/20/2011 @7pm
Fri. 1/21/2011 @7pm
Sat. 1/22/2011 @ 3pm & 7pm ***2 shows***

BUY TICKETS: Telecharge.com, 212-239-6200
$20 at the door or in advance through Telecharge.com.

I’ve sent about 25 of the ringtones to my friend Cam to mix and master. I’ll be releasing them as an album on iTunes and other digital distributors when we’ve finished up the post-production work, hopefully around the end of next month.

The interview is out this month in the winter 2010 issue of the Occupational Outlook Quarterly, pdf available here.

I usually consider it bad form to reprint material from another website, but as this is a government document, I think it’s probably safe. Here is the part of the article with the interview.

Cruise ship musician

People who are on vacation like to be entertained. That’s why cruise ships offer musical entertainment ranging from Broadway productions to top-40 bands. And many types of musicians provide this entertainment.

Most cruise ships have an orchestra or show band, as well as a variety of other group performers or soloists, such as piano bar entertainers and lounge musicians. Ships typically have several lounges, each featuring a different type of music. One lounge may feature a classical string quartet; another may offer the syncopated sounds of a jazz trio.

“There are so many different music positions on board ships,” says Dave Hahn, a keyboardist who has had several cruise ship jobs. His first job was in the show band, where he performed at welcome receptions and as the backup for all main stage performances.

In his position, Hahn would work about 10 to 20 hours a week, mostly in the evenings. “We would do about four or five sets a night, six nights a week,” he says. Many of the musical offerings aboard cruise ships are at night, but when the ship is at sea, musicians sometimes play during the day. Musicians also attend rehearsals, although they should be ready to play with little preparation.

Cruise ship musicians often have other responsibilities besides practicing and performing. “When you’re not playing your instrument, you’re like a crew member,” says Hahn. This means that musicians are required to take part in the regular safety drills required of crew members, such as lifeboat drills. It can also mean living in crew quarters, often with a roommate.

Musician jobs vary considerably. In his second job on a ship, Hahn was hired as a guest performer. “I was kind of like a performing passenger,” says Hahn. He performed about 5 hours a week, stayed in a passenger cabin, and didn’t participate in safety drills.

Cruise line musicians usually work under a contract, which stipulates the duration of the job, pay, and other benefits. Most contracts last between 3 and 6 months. Many musicians are on cruise lines for a limited time. “People tend to work between 6 months and 3 years,” says Hahn, “although there are a few lifers.”

The fact that musicians must live aboard the ship is one reason why careers are short. “You don’t ever leave work. You’re always there,” says Hahn. Cruise ships also have rigid rules and regulations. That’s something musicians don’t encounter in other jobs, and some feel inhibited by the lack of freedom. “Cruise ship musicians often have problems with the structure,” says Hahn. And although constant travel can be great in the short term, many prefer more stability in the long term.

But these musicians also have a lot of free time, especially when the ship is in port. During this time, they are free to leave the ship and enjoy the locale. “The ships follow beautiful places and beautiful weather,” says Hahn. “Every day we’d go to some gorgeous place.”

From the Occupational Outlook Quarterly, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The great Zachary Dietz, conductor of In the Heights on Broadway, is accompanying.