To the Editor:
My name is Kid Dutch and I have been the leader of the Perseverance Brass Band since its inception in 1987.
There has been much speculation as to why we have not been engaged for Mardi Gras and other dates.
We were not “fired”, the quantity of dates changed significantly (from 11 to only 2), the remaining dates were prime time for us, and the Entertainment Office and I could not agree on a price. That is all.
I attach an open letter to all our fans below. Thank you.
Dear Villages Friends:
You have been such loyal fans, and we have so enjoyed entertaining you for the past 23 years. So I felt you deserved to know why the Perseverance Brass Band won’t be there this Mardi Gras, or apparently at any events to come.
The Villages Entertainment office contacted me a few weeks ago. For reasons still unclear to me they abruptly canceled 10 out of 11 Perseverance Brass Band dates for 2019 (I had sent them contracts for these dates, at their request, months prior). They moved the one remaining date to actual Mardi Gras day. A few days later they asked to reinstate St. Patrick’s Day (after I had released everyone).
Now jazz music is like anything else – the more you buy, the better a price you get. Since we’d been reduced from 11 down to two dates AND those dates were now on prime days, I resubmitted my contract with a price increase to bring my musicians (11) up to a wage commensurate with what other groups are making per person. This was not well received by the Villages Entertainment office and they have declined our services for now and in the future.
Over the past 23 years we’ve done well over 100 events for The Villages since their first Mardi Gras in 1995. Playing there was always a favorite for members of the Perseverance Brass Band. We drew very large crowds and on multiple occasions the Entertainment office told us we were “the hands down favorite” there.
I’d like to thank again all the fans, and the Villages Entertainment office for their support in the past
It’s a shame it ended like this but it was a great run and we will see you at other events in Florida – but apparently just not at The Villages.
Thanks again!
Yer ol’ pal,
Kid Dutch
Kid Dutch
Perseverance Brass Band