Raymond Burke (clarinetist) - Rabais Shop

Rabais Shop

According to his colleagues and New Orleans Jazz Enthusiasts, Raymond's only non-musical form of employment was the management of a “Rabais” shop on Bourbon Street. According to friend Al Rose, a Rabais shop is “not as high flown as an Antique Store nor as disreputable as a junk Shop” It is a personal collection that the owner makes semi-available to the public for sale. Raymond's shop was in a residential section of Bourbon street which had light pedestrian traffic, and so generated very little business. It lacked furniture, except for one wooden stool where Burke sat, or electricity, ensuring that the shop closed at sundown. The shop was filled with old Jazz records, historical memorabilia, Musical Instruments and equipment, books, magazines, and a collection of sheet music. Being dark and cluttered on the inside, the store was not made for browsing. Rather, if a patron had a specific request, Raymond would recall whether he had the object in stock, and if so, would have to find it amongst the collection. Al Rose claims that the store probably averaged about two dollars of income per day. However, he also argues that the store had another, more musically important purpose. Throughout the work day (from 1pm to sundown) musicians would seek out Raymond at the Rabais to play with him. These sessions were informal and unattended, consisting of Raymond's Clarinet and whatever instrument the player(s) had brought. By the end of any given day, Rose estimates that up to a dozen musicians would have stopped by to play with Burke. Among these men were amateurs as well as distinguished musical talent.

Read more about this topic:  Raymond Burke (clarinetist)

Famous quotes containing the word shop:

    Give me the eye to see a navy in an acorn. What is there of the divine in a load of bricks? What of the divine in a barber’s shop or a privy? Much, all.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)