My friend Luke Brouillette over at Luke Jazzin' posted a recent blog on the value of set lists. He avers (and I tend to agree) that set lists are an indispensable part of making a good performance great, and making any performance less of a chore for the performer.
One of the reasons that I agree is that having a set list is like knowing the changes to a song. You know where it starts, where it ends, when to sing, when to build for the bridge, when to solo. It's the framework or palimpsest upon which is writ the free, creative improvisation that makes your performance worth attending. It helps you control the vibe, guide the crowd reaction, and create not just a set of songs, but a musical experience.
Of course, that's the grand scheme of things. If you're not the session leader, however, forget it. Just follow along and hope for the best, particularly if they are not an avid set list user. In that case, all bets are off.
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