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Communication and Booking Irregularities – Nova Boss @ Jazz Stroud / The Stroud Hotel, Stroud, Gloucestershire

20/10/2025

 
​[04/06/2025, 20:52:17] NW SVA: Thanks for that RD, they loved you 🙏
[04/06/2025, 21:34:35] NW SVA: Wanted to talk to you about more of the Sunday sessions and maybe getting some regular Sundays confirmed
[05/06/2025, 09:25:02] RD: Hi NW
Here are the Sundays we could do
June
15, 29
July
13, 20
August
03, 10, 31
[06/06/2025, 17:31:04] NW SVA: Sundays 15 and 29 are available
[06/06/2025, 21:56:51] RD: Great let’s do those
15/06/2025
29/06/2025
I’ll get them booked in 👍
[07/06/2025, 00:48:14] NW SVA: RG got back to me on 29 and it’s confirmed so can we confirm 15 June please
[07/06/2025, 06:07:28] RD: Hi NW thanks for counting on me but best if you get someone else in on these gigs.
[07/06/2025, 08:23:52] NW SVA: That would be a shame RD. The other dates in July and August look good apart from 10 Aug. The arrangement at the Stroud Hotel is now 200 plus lunch ‎<This message was edited>
[07/06/2025, 11:06:55] NW SVA: ‎Missed voice call, ‎Tap to call back
[07/06/2025, 11:47:40] NW SVA: Hi RD, I’m sorry if you’re feeling a bit frustrated. I sent out the available dates to a few people and when people respond it’s a question of trying to create a balance and also inclusive but I’m happy to free up 29 to ensure you remain part of the programme because I think what you’re doing is pretty special. Let me know. NW 🙏
[07/06/2025, 11:51:58] RD: Hi NW it wasn’t about the dates as such, it’s more about how the communication around confirmations was handled. When dates are agreed I need to be able to trust that they’ll hold especially when it involves hiring musicians. Going forward to keep things clear I’d need any future bookings to be confirmed with payment upfront. Totally understand if that’s not possible.
[07/06/2025, 12:00:14] NW SVA: ‎Missed voice call, ‎Tap to call back
[07/06/2025, 12:07:55] NW SVA: Would be easier to chat RD.
The Hotel holds the cash till the day so you would need to sign and collect on the day
Apart from the gig on 25 May which SVA paid for. 
The last gig was paid by and organised through SVA and JS so needed to be invoiced for. every artist SVA works with is paid through invoicing. 
Anyway give me a call
NW
[07/06/2025, 12:11:23] NW SVA: I haven’t actually cancelled any of your dates. I was looking to fill some new dates
[07/06/2025, 12:13:09] NW SVA: Give me a call when you can. NW
[07/06/2025, 12:55:35] RD: Hey NW I’m in bham this weekend was out shopping earlier on my way to gig now. In any case it sounds like it’s not going to work with the payments. Do appreciate you outlining it though.
[07/06/2025, 13:21:43] NW SVA: 👍
[07/06/2025, 13:24:14] NW SVA: Doors open in future so let me know if you’re interested
Title
Communication and Booking Irregularities – Nova Boss @ JS / TSH, Stroud, Gloucestershire

Description
Between 4–7 June 2025, communication and booking irregularities occurred in relation to Nova Boss’s proposed performances at TSH under the JS / SVA programming, coordinated by NW (SVA).
These issues occurred despite a prior direct approach: Nova Boss first applied directly to TSH on 16/12/2023, following up again on 17/03/2024, with no response. Later developments revealed that NW was acting as an intermediary or “gatekeeper” for bookings at the hotel.
This added an element of irony and frustration, as none of the later issues would likely have arisen had communication been handled directly between the artist and venue.
On 04/06/2025, following a last-minute unpaid video shoot request from NW (accepted by RD as a goodwill gesture), NW invited Nova Boss to perform at the hotel’s Sunday sessions.
RD submitted a list of available Sundays (June–August 2025) on 05/06/2025. NW confirmed 15 June and 29 June as available. On 06/06/2025, RD confirmed both dates for Nova Boss.
At 00:48 on 07/06/2025, NW messaged to say that 29 June had now been given to another musician (“RG”), but asked RD to confirm 15 June instead. This caused confusion and raised doubts about the reliability of the arrangements, as both dates had previously been confirmed.
Following this inconsistency and perceived lack of professional clarity, RD withdrew from the engagements on 07/06/2025 to protect Nova Boss’s integrity and mental wellbeing.
NW later denied cancelling or mishandling bookings, but by that point the trust and working relationship had broken down.

Action Taken
RD formally withdrew from all current and future bookings with NW / SVA on 07/06/2025.
Communications were documented and retained.
No public statement was made, and all interactions remained courteous to avoid reputational damage.
Subsequent related invitations (e.g., via RG or mutual contacts) were declined to maintain professional boundaries.

Resolutions
Withdrawal communicated clearly and respectfully.
No fees exchanged; no financial obligations outstanding.
Matter closed without escalation or conflict.
Nova Boss to pursue bookings directly with venues to ensure professionalism, clarity, and emotional safety.

Notes Comments
Initial direct contact with TSH (Dec 2023 and Mar 2024) predates the involvement of NW. The later “gatekeeping” dynamic created unnecessary barriers, confusion, and distress.
The inconsistency between confirmed dates and final allocations undermined confidence and contributed to emotional fatigue.
The unpaid nature of the 04/06/2025 video shoot, coupled with informal communication practices, further reinforced the perception of disorganisation and lack of respect for artists’ time.
This incident highlights the importance of transparent, direct communication between artists and venues. Delegating coordination to a third party without structure or accountability can lead to misunderstandings, unacknowledged labour, and emotional strain.
Nova Boss acted in good faith throughout, maintaining professionalism and goodwill. The experience has underscored the value of boundaries, self-respect, and direct relationships when managing live music engagements.
While regrettable, this outcome ultimately strengthened Nova Boss’s resolve to uphold fair working practices and protect creative wellbeing.

Reported
Reported Date: 20/10/2025
Reported By (Individual): RD
Reported By (Organisation): R&BM

INDIVIDUALS

Responsible, Responsive, NW, Client
To manage bookings and communicate transparently

Observer, Responsive, NK, Guitar
Consulted for availability

Involved, Passive, RG, Artist
Accepted alternate 29 June booking

Impacted, Active, RD, Artist
To confirm availability and uphold professional standards

ORGANISATIONS

JS
Promoter responsible for booking live jazz.

TSH
Venue hosting live jazz.

Comments are closed.

    Red Book

    📕 Logs challenges and unforeseen issues encountered in our operations. By documenting these, we highlight areas for improvement and maintain transparency in our work.

    Title
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    Description
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    Action Taken
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    ​Notes Comments
    This is where we provide recommendations, lessons learned, or suggestions for future improvements to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. It's about reflecting on the incident and identifying any systemic changes, procedural adjustments, or training needs that could help mitigate risks or improve handling of similar situations in the future.

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