STANLEY tells it all – Business of the Band: 1
Most professional bands are struggling to survive, just like orchestras. History shows even the best bandleaders have dealt with challenges we as musicians are not trained for.
At our end, we prefer to sell concerts for a set price to a concert venue, theatre or event. Optional is combination of guarantee plus percentage of ticket sales. Only the brave take full risk by renting a concert venue and dealing with the door. Each approach brings another level of risk. All three are in use today.
Tours are notorious, since they hold the record for ending somewhere half or three quarters of the way. John Philip Sousa knew how to deal with this, but not all did. In the 50’s both Stan Kenton and Quincy Jones a.o., were met with this dreaded experience.
Stan Kenton’s USA tour came in trouble when his band was in Los Angeles, California. The combination of professional opportunities, fantastic weather and the beach, made most musicians decide to stay. At least, that’s what Shorty Rogers told me with a big smile on his face. They worked in the film industry, became involved in West Coast Jazz and some became renowned composers. Kenton carried on and a.o. founded Capitol Records.
Quincy Jones’s European tour met the blind wall when his band was in Germany. In order to fund the trip back to the USA, he had to sell the rights to his music. Professional opportunities made some of the musicians decide to stay. They worked in a.o. jazz radio bands. That’s what Benny Bailey told me and he was happy about it.
Luckily, most musicians turned this experience around, but the bandleaders became cautious. Stan Kenton went back on the road, but Quincy Jones prefered to remain in the studios. With laws and regulations as they are today, nobody can afford to be met with such horrors.
So, we are in need of funding upfront and in full at that. Although some bands focus on acquiring subsidies and donations, myself, I am more inclined towards sponsorship. This is based on a working relationship between two parties, each with a set goal, which is best reached by collaboration. That business type approach feels better to me, just like an assignment.
Until today, I have spent a lot of time and energy in acquiring sponsorship for The Sousa Tribute Band. We are still looking for that American company with pizzazz, where all understand there is no better carrier of their message than a band enthousiastically performing great music anywhere and everywhere possible, unplugged at that. Greener than green. A vehicle to challenge and disrupt in an elegant way, so to say.
All in all, more time needs to be spent and more companies to be approached. If you have any ideas, I am all ears and yes, I know how to use them. My ears, I mean!
Stanley E. van Wel MM – Music Director
Posted on LinkedIn.com dated 26 June 2025