Difficulty Securing Percussionist for 11/05/2025 Gig

​Hi all!👋 do we know any cajon players who might be up for joining us on Sunday?
Date: 11/05/2025
Time: 13:00-16:30
Venue: SH, GL5 3AP
Repertoire: Bossa Nova
Thanks, RD

Title
Difficulty Securing Percussionist for 11/05/2025 Gig

Description
Efforts to secure a suitable percussionist for the 11/05/2025 SH gig were unsuccessful until the final stages of preparation, due to short notice, stylistic requirements (Bossa Nova), venue constraints (small space – cajon preferred over drum kit), and low fees. Numerous contacts and networks were activated without success until a referral from DS resulted in a last-minute booking of SM.

Action Taken
Contacted multiple percussionists and drummers, including PB, AY, MF , SRl, JB, Richard Brooke, and CC.
Sought local recommendations from JA (Stroud Forró – no response), TS (S SMba – responsive), and JS’s JS (provided contact info).
Engaged via the SVA Jazz JS Musicians WhatsApp group and Stroud Music Facebook group.
Reached out to several pianists (TC, DT, PB ) – all unavailable – leading RD to cover piano duties and switch between piano and flute.
NK (guitarist) provided SRl’s details.
Public posting led to a lead from RG, who recommended Richard Brooke (ultimately unsuitable).
Final successful recommendation came via DS, who circulated the need among folk contacts, leading to SM being booked.

Resolutions
SM was confirmed on cajon to support the Bossa Nova and Latin material, resolving the gap with a musically suitable solution.
RD covered piano duties due to unavailability of others, rotating between piano and flute as needed.

Notes Comments
Fee of £30 was a significant barrier in recruiting capable, committed musicians at short notice.
Lack of clarity from promoter NW created uncertainty around confirmation and financial accountability.
RD has begun compiling a local database of percussionists and pianists to streamline future bookings.
For future gigs: RD intends to ask for clear confirmation from NW in writing, and offer musicians a top-up fee from his business funds, bringing total pay to a fairer rate (target: £50 minimum).
This incident revealed a weakness in short-notice contingency planning and the importance of cultivating reliable, style-appropriate local contacts.

Reported
Reported Date: 10/05/2025
Reported By (Organisation): R&BM

INDIVIDUALS

Involved, Responsive, AY, Percussion
Unavailable, doesn't play cajon.

Involved, Responsive, CC, Percussion
Unavailable, noted for future reference.

Involved, Active, DS, Referrer
Instrumental in resolving the situation via folk network.

Involved, Responsive, DT, Piano
Unavailable for piano, led to the decision of booking cajon instead.

Involved, Responsive, F, Referrer
Conducted independent enquiries off RD's WhatsApp group callout.

Involved, Responsive, JS, Referrer
Provided contact for CC to RD via Facebook.

Involved, Responsive, JB, Percussion
Unavailable, doesn't play cajon.

Involved, Passive, JA, Referrer
Didn't respond to RD's message on Facebook.

Involved, Responsive, MC, Percussion
Unavailable, noted for future reference.

Observer, Passive, MF, Bass
Not involved in fixing process but another member of band.

Observer, Passive, NW, Promoter
Responsible for venue and booking logistics, passive in resolving musician shortfall.

Involved, Responsive, NK, Guitar
Contributor to personnel search (provided SR’s contact).

Involved, Responsive, PB, Percussion
Unavailable, doesn't play cajon but does play reduced kit setup. Also facilitated WhatsApp post.

Involved, Responsive, PC, Piano
Initially didn't respond but later said unavailable for piano after percussionist was booked.

Involved, Responsive, Percussion
Unsuitable, but expressed interest in joining for future.

Involved, Responsive, RG, Referrer
Provided contact for Richard Brooke to RD via Facebook.

Responsible, Active, RD, Bandleader
Responsible for assembling the band, managing communications and repertoire, active in solving the personnel issue.

Involved, Active, SM, 
Ultimately booked and responsible for live performance.

Involved, Responsive, SR, Percussion
Unavailable, noted for future reference.

Involved, Responsive, TS, Referrer
Engaged in Facebook messaging with RD regarding potential players.

Involved, Responsive, TC, Piano
Unavailable for piano, led to the decision of booking cajon instead.

ORGANISATIONS

JJ
Contacted as a stakeholder for referrals.

JS
Organising the 11/05/2025 gig.

S
Contacted as a stakeholder for referrals.

SFG
Contacted as a stakeholder for referrals.

TSH
Hosting the 11/05/2025 gig.