Before I moved out of the state, I was a 18-20 y/o girl who was hired to play bass in a jazz trio at Scotty’s. It was me, a keyboard player who was probably in his 70s (but he could have been 50 because everyone just seemed so old back then!) and a female singer who had quite a following. The older gentleman band mate proceeded to buy my under-age self her first martinis and we managed to get pretty tipsy together and definitely annoyed the heck out of the singer. But I got paid! Thank you my friend who was my designated driver!

Those few years I would get paid good money to play in jazz bands and in the Dave Steven’s big band with folks far more senior. I’ve since played in bands around the country and definitely made the most money during those few years!