Let me start by telling you that "aqui" means here.

I e-mailed Rick 'cause i read that he attended the SG concert with the Atlanta Synphonic Orchestra, and he mentioned that there was people just chattering and not getting the fact of what was happening before their eyes. COME ON!!!! it's the first time they do that, and it's not easy playing with an orchestra either.

I feel blessed 'cause here the audience is so concentrated in the music and everyone enjoys it quietly (except when the song's over). I've seen them the only 4 times that they've come here, and all the people here enjoys their music to the max. No yappin, no chattering, just silence and a bunch of couples of ears listening.

It's a shame that Rick had to go through that experience.

Eril.

[This message has been edited by Eril (edited September 13, 2000).]

Eril,

In my view, this whole "yapper" syndrome has at least a couple of causes.
First, it might be the way the seats are layed out.
When I saw Spyro Gyra at Indian Wells in Palm Springs, California, it was a benefit concert for children or childrens hospitals in the area.
The venue had set up ROUND wedding reception style dinner tables...and served a three or four course filet mignon sit down dinner....WHILE the band was onestage.
So the band had to try to overcome the fact that HALF the audience had their backs to the band. This fact and the fact that people were stuffing their faces naturally encouraged yapping.
By the second set, the band was connecting more with the audience...but even then, many of the old doctors in attendance had had their dinner, put in there appearance for the charity, and left for home early(well, it was past 9 pm, probably past bedtime for many of them!).
Spyro Gyra couldn't catch that spark of energy from the crowd, but it still was a good performance. And what made the rudeness worth it wasa the money raised went to the kids.

The other contributing factors, in my view, are:

*Smooth jazz radio stations--played in many offices at reduced volume, thereby encouraging and conditioning people to yap-yap-yap over the music. This then spills over into the live concerts, with people rudely treating the music as backround music while they socialize and yap about Johnny or Mary's soccer games ect. The yappers have no idea that most people are there to concentrate on what is happening up onstage...and that their yapping interferes with others enjoyment.

Also, at some of the concerts, the venues are only allowed a certain sound level.

I've asked the guys at the sound boards at some past Spyro gyra and Rippingtons concerts to maybe turn up the volume a notch.

They always respond by saying, "I'll do what I can, but I have a limit to how loud it can go". Sometimes, one notch(for example, sound level set at 4 or at 5) can make a big difference on whether people do a lot a yapping.


Peace!
Paul

As always, you give the right answers and opinions Paul!!!.

Maybe is the fact that here in PR SG has performed 1 time at a colliseum, 2 times at the performing arts center and the last time was at the Jazzfest which is given in open air, making it more fun to the crowd to enjoy, and be louder about the solos.

Thanks for the info!!!


Eril.

...Please pass the breadsticks...

I'm with you guys. Could you imagine that type of set-up at a Symphony Hall concert? Please, they don'y even let you get out of your seat until an intermission. What the hell's the difference? A c-jazz band is less accomplished? Hardly! Jay and the boys would play circles around those guys with one hand tied behind their backs!

Well for my benefit, the concert here is NOT going to include dinner or anything. I'm still a bit worried about the seating layout, but I will get there VERY EARLY so i can catch one of the front tables.


9 days to goooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Eril.