Open call for Salsa / Latin jazz pianists, Diáspora + Fiesta Latina

Applications are now closed, please check back soon for more vacancies!

Red & Black Music is looking for a 1st call pianist for Diáspora (www.diasporamusic.co.uk) and a 2nd call pianist for Fiesta Latina (www.fiesta-latina.co.uk) or good Salsa / Latin jazz pianists to perform with both productions.
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Diáspora

Description:
Diáspora is our established 5 - 11 piece Latin salsa production. The sheet music is fully charted out in structured arrangements. You will be synchronising closely with the bassist. This role demands strong reading / interpretation skills. The production covers a wider range of styles from arrangements of popular songs and dance floor classics to original compositions mixing Salsa and Bossa Nova with Acid Jazz, Funk and Soul. Diáspora is currently recording an album and a demo, and is looking for a first call pianist interested in working with the production as it develops.
Performance time typically up to 120 minutes (2.00 hours)
Divided into sets (2 x 60 / 3 x 40 / 4 x 30)

Location:
Ideally London-based. However, we welcome proposals from outside London.

Essential:

• Ability to replicate Latin guajeo (montuno) piano figurations from a chord sequence
• Ability to play in 2-3 or 3-2 clave
• Knowledge and understanding of jazz harmony
• Trained in jazz yet versatile in a wide range of contemporary popular music styles, including Latin rhythms
• Good sight-reading abilities, especially with structural geography
• Can provide own equipment

Desirable:

• Ability to help out with transport desirable, but not essential
• Ability to improvise desirable, but not essential

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Membership
This is a 1st position, indicating that the successful candidate will receive 1st offers for all 7 - 11 piece engagements and most 5 and 6 piece band engagements (where piano is used) at the minimum event status Confirmed.

The successful candidate will also be invited to participate in the production of the Diáspora album + demo, in order to develop the production.

Offers
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We can offer you the following minimum performance fees:

• From £70 per performer (11-piece band, London): commercial*
• From £60 per performer (11-piece band, London): charitable*
• From £50 per performer (11-piece band, London): nominal (by negotiation)
• From £40 per performer (11-piece band, London): promotional (venue hires)

*fees increase by £5 / per -1 performer (minimum 5-piece), and by £10 / per +1 zone (distance from London or Manchester). Expenses (transport, accommodation, subsistence) are added on top.

Fiesta Latina

​Description:
Fiesta Latina is our newer 2 - 4 piece Latin salsa function / party production. There is little or no formal sheet music and the performance is largely improvised. You will be performing with percussion, vocalist (and trumpet on some engagements), and the musical direction is led by the vocalist. This role places more emphasis on improvisation and spontaneity. The first call pianist is often working with Diáspora, and we occasionally use 2 productions on 1 date, so we are looking to develop good working relationships with salsa / Latin pianists available at short notice as required.
Performance time typically up to 135 minutes (2.25 hours)
Divided into sets (2 x 65 / 3 x 45 / 4 x 35)

Location:
Ideally London or Manchester. However, we welcome proposals from all UK towns, particularly as Fiesta Latina performs nationwide.

Essential:

• Ability to replicate Latin guajeo (montuno) piano figurations from a chord sequence
• Ability to play in 2-3 or 3-2 clave
• Trained in jazz yet versatile in a wide range of contemporary popular music styles, including Latin rhythms
• Able to collaborate with vocalists at short notice, often with little or no rehearsal
• Can provide own equipment
• Ability to improvise

Desirable:

• Ability to help out with transport desirable, but not essential

Membership
This is a 2nd position, indicating that the successful candidate will receive 2nd offers for all engagements at the minimum event status Enquiry. The successful candidate will also receive 2nd offers for engagements with Diáspora.

Offers

We can offer you the following minimum performance fees:

• From £105 per performer (4-piece band, London / Manchester): commercial*
• From £95 per performer (4-piece band, London / Manchester): charitable*
• From £50 per performer (4-piece band, London / Manchester): nominal (by negotiation)

*fees increase by £5 / per -1 performer (minimum 2-piece), and by £10 / per +1 zone (distance from London or Manchester). Expenses (transport, accommodation, subsistence) are added on top.Apply DirectHow to applyBefore applying, please check through the list of pre-requisites on the opportunities page, or by clicking HERE.

Please email the producer, Rory ([email protected]) with the following:

• Your background and previous experience
• Your multimedia (photo / audio / video) and / or link(s) to website(s)
• List of productions where you are managing, producing or participating as a performer
• 2 referees
• Whether you can can drive and / or have access to a car. Please note that this will not affect the outcome of your application

If you have any questions prior to application, email Jo ([email protected]) who will be happy to help. Reasonable audition expenses will be reimbursed.

Schedule

​No schedule. However auditions will be arranged on a first come first served basis as there are dates that we are looking to fulfil for July / August. This ad will expire once suitable performer(s) have been found.

T&C

• Please apply directly via email.
• Please do not apply via phone, text or social media.
• Please do not apply if you are busy.
• Please do not apply if you are not available.
• Please do not apply if you are not interested.
• Please do not apply if you charge higher rates than those listed.
• Please do not apply if you do not agree with any of the T&C of this ad or any of the prerequisites listed alongside. Questions regarding prequisites should be directed to the manager, Jo, by emailing [email protected]
• Please do not post this ad on CreativeJobsCentral or any other 1-click application website. Applications made via these websites will not be considered.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and potentially able to take on engagements anywhere in the UK.
• Please note that this is not a full time employment contract: offers and engagements are contracted individually on a freelance basis via email.
• All membership certificates and offers of engagement are subject to Red & Black Music artist T&C.
• Thank you and good luck!