TromboneChat

Suman Entertainment Group is currently hiring trombonists for late 2022 and early 2023 showband contracts on all major luxury cruise lines.

We are looking for trombonists with strong sight-reading ability, knowledge of commercial, pop, and Top 40s styles, and the ability to improvise. Base pay is between $2800 and $3200 USD per month depending on experience and cruise line. Room, board, and airfare to and from the cruise ship are included. Itineraries include the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia. This is a great opportunity to perform every night for hundreds of audience members, travel around the world, and make money. All applicants must be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccine and the cruise lines are taking many precautions to protect the health and safety of crew and guests.

There are many openings right now on several cruise lines including Princess Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Celebrity Cruise Lines. This is a great opportunity for a recent college graduate or any trombonist looking to work consistently, receive a salary, and travel the world.

Interested applicants should send an email to [email protected] with a resume, photo, and promo video links, or go to sumanent.com and click "APPLY" in the top right corner. Visit sumanent.com for more information.

I am also happy to answer any questions here as a trombonist who worked for two years on cruise ships myself.

Thank you,
Hayden Mapel
Entertainment Specialist
Suman Entertainment Group
[email protected]

What's your cut?

Thrawn22 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 26, 2022 1:34 pm What's your cut?

We have strong relations with our cruise clients so we receive commission directly from the cruise lines. Musicians do not need to pay us commission out of their salaries.

Cruises are a great entry into the industry. You play every night in a variety of styles, you travel to some awesome places and you get paid to do it. I worked through Suman for several contracts with NCL. Much better experience than with my previous agency. Would highly recommend them.

I worked for Suman back in the mid 90's and had a good experience with them. Mike Suman happened to move to my area a little while ago and I've had the opportunity to play with him a few times (he plays trumpet). Mike's a good guy, fine musician, and my experience with Suman Entertainment Group was overall a positive one.

Dave

Thrawn22 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 26, 2022 1:34 pm What's your cut?

Dude, that’s a sucker punch. We’re better than that here, or so I thought.

gbedinger wrote: ↑Thu Sep 01, 2022 5:38 pm

Thrawn22 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 26, 2022 1:34 pm What's your cut?

Dude, that’s a sucker punch. We’re better than that here, or so I thought.

It's a fair question considering that booking agencies take a percentage of the musician's salary for "finding" them the job.

When i worked for RCCL, i got the job thru an agancy and was charged 15% and had to post date checks to the amount of the percentage. The agency claimed they got me a higher pay rate, which they did, but in the end the 15% took a big bite out of my income my first contract. When the other musician's asked what i was paying percentage wise to the agency they cringed when hearing the amount and said 10% was the standard an agency charges, and that next time i should call the cruise company directly to apply.

Now using an agency can help expedite the hiring process which is great. And an agency should get something for their efforts on getting you hired. But, as always, there are companies that exploit the talent for their profit.

If my being blunt about what the agencies cut is what you took offense to then i apologize. But as i said at the beginning of this It's a fair question and should be disclosed upfront so there's no misunderstandings or omitted information regarding any fees or hiring practices.

SumanEntertainmentGroup wrote: ↑Fri Aug 26, 2022 4:03 pm

Thrawn22 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 26, 2022 1:34 pm What's your cut?

We have strong relations with our cruise clients so we receive commission directly from the cruise lines. Musicians do not need to pay us commission out of their salaries.

My apologies for my bluntness in my question. What you're offering sounds better than what i was offered my first-time dealing with a talent agency.

How long are the contracts (typically)?

jvangulik wrote: ↑Fri Sep 23, 2022 1:56 pm How long are the contracts (typically)?

Standard cruise contracts are between 4 and 7 months long of living and working continuously on a cruise ship. There are occasionally shorter contracts, but generally only for rehires with valid travel documents. Normally musicians share a small cabin with another musician on board. Flights to join and leave the ship as well as any necessary hotels are covered by the cruise line.

I’ve worked with Mike. He’s a class act Suman is a class act. Top notch.

Eddie Clark