Bookings, Terms
(For those interested in putting on smaller events such as house concerts, soirees, etc, see house concerts or The Initiative)
The following information is a set of guidelines. I enjoy new and exciting options, as long as The Music is our primary focus. My job is to make people feel deeply, to make people happy, and to create a healing space in which we all grow and change, together. This Music is magical and very powerful. It needs to be presented properly, with great regard and respect. That said, we should also ALL HAVE FUN!
Below are some important standards that I maintain. To discuss particulars, send me an e-mail and include your phone number and a good time for me or a staff member to call you.
Required:
RETAINER FEE: a mutually agreed-upon sum, payable by check to be received at least one month prior to performance (payments by major Credit Cards are processed through our own on-line SSL secure servers) Note: At times, I work on a percentage basis "off the gate", or "door", thus sharing in the responsibility of the draw; at times it's a percentage basis over and above a baseline guarantee; at other times, a retainer fee is waived depending on circumstance.
AIR TRAVEL: unless the proposed performance venue is within a one hundred and fifty mile radius of my home: one round-trip Coach ticket on a major airline, finalized only with my approval, with the fewest connecting flights and stopovers possible
ALSO: 4 or 5 LARGE BOTTLES of spring water waiting for me there (Evian or other pure or filtered water) to be brought for airport pickup, especially late-night pickups when most stores are closed. This is very important!
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS: non-smoking room for 2 nights for one performance. I must fly in the day before; air delays make this a necessity, and I never fly on the day of a concert. Hotel must have room-service, be clean and quiet, provide hair-dryer, cable TV, shower and bath, and a large comfortable bed
GROUND TRANSPORTATION: Car, Limo, or Van transport between hotel and performance(s) venues; pick-up and drop-off at airport an ABSOLUTE NECESSITY. NO BUSES OR TRAINS OR CABS. Being vision-impaired, I do not drive or take public transport
MONETARY COMPENSATION or AGREED-UPON PERCENTAGE RATE: Speak with me or a staff member on the phone. Send an e-mail including your name and phone number and a brief description of your concept, along with a rough idea of where and when, to:
See also standard contract
Required:
1. Grand piano, tuned before the concert or performance. First choice: Bosendorfer Imperial King or Steinway D. Second choice: Steinway B. Third choice: Steinways of different sizes and model numbers. Yamaha C7-F, Petrof, other grand pianos acceptable, only WITH middle pedals, as I use all 3. Consult with me about different pianos and what the criteria are.
2. ABSOLUTELY NO UPRIGHT OR DIGITAL PIANOS
3. ARTIST HAS FULL ARTISTIC CONTROL OVER PROGRAM, CHOICE OF COMPOSITIONS, LENGTH OF PLAYING TIME FOR EACH TUNE, AND OTHER ARTISTIC MATTERS SUCH AS PIANO MICS, POSITION, SETUP, ETC
4. ARTIST WILL HAVE FULL TRANSPORTATION PROVISIONS, WHETHER THE CONCERT VENUE IS ONE BLOCK FROM THE HOTEL OR ACROSS TOWN FROM IT
5. One switched talk microphone, preferably no boom stand. No piano microphones or monitors except when acoustically necessary. I do not sing. I do, however, speak to the audience throughout my performance. Silence and aural attention occur naturally. I am not like some performers who demand silence. I command and earn silence non-verbally. Coughing is allowed! So is laughter. I may even take a request or two at the conclusion.
6. Agreement as to the sale of CDs at intermission or after performance. CD signings are encouraged; I usually sit behind a table and spend the entire break signing and talking to audience members
7. An area of solitude where musician(s) may rest before and after performance, non-smoking
8. A supply of mineral water and other nonalcoholic sugar-free refreshments in that area of solitude
9. No analog, digital or other sound or video recordings to be made without EXPRESS WRITTEN PERMISSION from artist
10. No flash cameras during performance
11. No smoking in the vicinity of the performance
12. In the event that I appear with my trio, I never negotiate for them. I only negotiate for myself as I am not a music agent