Incident 2: Ignoring/Non-Engagement with Written Communications

​Title
Incident 2: Ignoring/Non-Engagement with Written Communications

Description
After the phone call, RD followed up with a written summary via email, also providing Dropbox resources to ensure all musicians were aligned on expectations. However, these written communications were ignored for an extended period. The lack of response made it difficult to gauge interest and alignment, leaving RD in the dark.

Action Taken
Waited for a reasonable amount of time before reassessing the situation.
Recognized the lack of engagement as a potential red flag in terms of reliability and professionalism.
Decided not to push for a response and instead reconsidered working with the musicians involved.

Resolutions
Acknowledged that strong communication is a key factor in deciding future collaborations.
Decided to explore alternative musician options rather than pursuing those who failed to engage in discussions.

Notes Comments
Non-engagement with written communications suggested either disinterest or a lack of professionalism.
Moving forward, clear and timely responses will be a key criterion in choosing collaborators.

Reported
Reported Date: 21/03/2025
Reported By (Individual): RD
Reported By (Organisation): R&BM

INDIVIDUALS

Responsible, Passive, KS, Bass
Ignored written communication, causing unnecessary delays and uncertainty.

Impacted, Active, RD, Bandleader
Provided written documentation for clarity and attempted to facilitate smooth communication.

Aim:
Generate more work!
RD was waiting for the right moment and then the Hilton Milton gig came in.
1 vocalist, 1 repertoire, 1 set of keys = easy peasy!
Video demo overview:
3 songs.
Complete songs. (I think my rationale behind this is that people will want to hear the full versions).
Project
Split into 2 phases — to take the pressure off, both logistics+budget wise.
Phase 1: Audio
Studio recording with click track.
KR (Guitar+Piano), KS (Bass), Davide (Kit).
RD directing/cueing (will add sax, flute and vocals at home).
RD responsibility: bring in Logic project on MacBook, can provide variations.
Click track — liaise with Davide for most comfortable feel.
Having software instruments is great for providing context, but recording on top can feel stiff. Usually, the drummer likes to have a very simple click.
Allow plenty of time to explore tempo options. With only 3 songs we should easily allow enough scope if the studio is booked for e.g., 1 day.
I used Perry Vale (http://www.perryvalestudios.com) last time but open to ideas, if there is a studio that the musicians used before and like working with.
Main aim is to make it feel as comfortable as possible for the rhythm section.
Mixing: I worked with Gavin Beckwith for Diáspora (http://diaspora.co.uk/verano.html) and my previous Bossa Nova album (2016 - http://www.rorymusic.co.uk/em-balanca.html). Happy to work with him again. Alternatively if any of the musicians do mixing then happy to look at that from a keeping it in-house perspective!
Phase 2: Video
Focus on the visuals.
Get Ben in to mime guitar.
Feedback from the Hilton Milton gig:
The musicians were happy, and the clients seemed happy too although I’m still following up on feedback.
Main question was that the tunes felt unusually fast for the style of music. This was because the clients specified “upbeat” and “dance” music.
Differentiate between Bossa + Samba. Samba is faster but also a different area stylistically with cavaquinho, extra percussion etc. Bossa takes influences from / is a more diluted form of samba but tends to be slower.
We could look at some of the tempos and explore if slower tempos can allow for more comfortable groove!
Nice system of Davide setting the groove on sticks. Good delegation work!
Budget/timescale:
Liaise with KS on behalf of KR and Davide. £50 per musician / per song was mentioned for the last Diáspora piano recordings (http://diaspora.co.uk/verano.html) but this was 2022-23 and very mates rates! Realistically looking £150 per musician / per song.
150 *3 = £450 per musician.
RD explore option of spacing it out e.g., £100 per musician / per song for the audio session and £50 per musician / per song for the video session. Treating video as separate phase of project as will require venue and videographer.
I have a videographer Jason Read in mind who charged me £300 for filming/editing these videos (http://www.rorymusic.co.uk/videos.html).
Alternatively HH also does videography and might do it cheaper, here’s an example (http://www.fiesta-latina.co.uk/watch.html).
Venue not sure but probably need to save money in this area as I hired SYP last time which cost £600 for 4.5 hours. Anyway, we can ‘cross that bridge’ after audio is done.
Timescale: as soon as possible! While it’s the start of the year. Plan for next 3 days: RD will take laptop into London and decide on 3 songs and keys.
Lineups/freelancing:
Get KR on guitar as well as piano. KR & I discussed helping one another on vocals too.
Get KS on guitar as well as bass. Double bass for jazz too.
Talked about example of LA in Diáspora: she was originally brought in on bongó/bell with HH on congas. HH and LA ended up swapping as HH’s style is more improvisatory whereas LA’s is more groove-based. This was for the 12-piece lineup. But then for the smaller (5-6) and medium (7-8) lineup, we got LA on piano and HH on congas. It worked well having the same musicians because in the end knowing the tunes is the most important thing!
Always good to know who plays what.
RD is mainly sax/flute/vocals, but occasionally plays piano. Jazz, Latin and Brazilian music background. Solid chord-reading and Brazilian feel if ever people need! Also can do backing vocals.
RD 90 minutes on train from London. Goes in every 2 weeks plus weekends as and when gigs/recordings arise.