[AK47rulz]

Morgan- Do you know anything about bringing equipment up north of the border? There's an open mic I want to bring a friend to, but there is no piano so I'd have to bring my rig up.

Scot

[saruxanset]

Uhh, wouldn't it be an issue with customs and immigration re: Canadians working in the U.S. sans green card? Even if this impediment wasn't in place, would there not be a problem with the musicians union local in Seattle or Whatcom County?

[AK47rulz]

Hi,

Mike Allen suggested I drop a line here when I asked him about Vancouver players.

I run a jam session every Tuesday night here in Bellingham at a great brew pub called Boundary Bay Brewery (http://www.bbaybrewery.com). I like to rotate bass and drums on a regular basis and though I normally hire Seattle players, I thought it would be nice to check if anyone from Vancouver is interested in playing the session.

The details are simple- 9 to midnight, first set is trio only, free dinner and beer, and $75 cash.

The session is a lot of fun and there is almost always a good crowd there to listen to the music.

Happy holidays!

Scot

http://www.learnjazzpiano.com

[JulieSmithdccd]

Scot, from what I've heard from my friends who've come up to play, it's easier coming this way than it is for us to go down there. You could probably just say you're going to an open mike and they wouldn't care. I don't know though... just bring it and if they ask what it is, just tell them it's your instrument.

[Binuilienzync]

And isn't it a jam session? How would that be a problem for either the border or a union, if it existed?

[AK47rulz]

Morgan- I had a lot of great comments about your playing last night at the jam session. I thought the rhythm section was pretty tight with you and Cronin playing your butts off, and I had a really good time. Great job to both of you!

[saruxanset]

U.S. Customs doesn't make that distinction. These "bureaucrats with guns" are strictly by the book guys who would interperet, by law, that you would be taking away work from an American musician. Whether or not you were being paid for the job wouldn't make any difference (..and in this case there was mention of 75 bucks changing hands).
That being said, I also know of numerous cases of musician friends on both sides of the 49th who slip in and out to gig in either nation. Tricky, if you're carrying a kit or a bari-sax case in the back seat. Lucky vocalists!

[JulieSmithdccd]

The law says that you're allowed to play in private places (ie: a recording studio, a friend's house etc...) if you're not getting paid. Playing in public at all is strictly forbidden. I go accross the line all the time, and have never had a problem.

[AK47rulz]

Yeah, for those who are uncomfortable or can't go across the border with their equipment, it won't work out. However, I personally know a handful of B.C. jazzers who make it south of the border on a regular basis to play. Some of them are dual citizen, some have green cards, some of them just make it happen.

As far as unions go, there is no musician union in Whatcom county, and in Seattle there is no distinction between union musicians and non union musicians.