About Barry Benjamin Expertise I am a hotel owner in the Out Islands for the last 30 years. I would like to help people understand what the Out Island experience is all about. I can answer questions about what hotels are like, what to do there, if they are moderate or expensive, who goes there generally, what the weather is like, what there is to do on individal islands, some contacts of people to talk to, a little history of some of the islands and my opinion on what are the most comfortable places to visit.
Expert: Barry Benjamin Date: 8/5/2006 Subject: Piano gigs in the Bahamas
Question Dear Barry,
My name is Larry Turner, and I live in Louisiana.
I am a career musician, piano/keyboard player.
I have played for the last 20 years in Baton Rouge, 5-6 nights per week, in restaurants and hotels here, for weddings, corporste parties, etc. I play all styles, and prefer solo or duo with a guitarist or vocalist, who would relocate with me.
I earn about $1000 per week currently.
I am considering relocating to the Bahamas.
Naturally, my question is : can a experienced, talented piano player find employment at hotels there, and appoximately what do those gigs pay?
Also it would be helpful to know what booking agents currently handle those rooms.
I will wait for your response.
Sincerely,
Larry Turner
Answer Larry
I have no idea what a musician can or should earn for gigs in Nassau or Freeport which is the 'big' city in The Bahamas. In my neck of the woods, Exuma we don't like to pay any more than $500 to $550 a night (Sat.) for a three piece band. Of course they are now asking for $1000 and so we are not having a live band on Sat. during the summer. We don't get bands from Nassau or the States because they want travel expenses and this takes the cost to us way above whatever we can make. I would suggest you contact the hotels in Nassau and Freeport directly by going on bahamas.com and getting a telephone number. I hope this helps.
Barry
