I just saw two days of great music performed by a couple of friends at the 1st Annual Latin Jazz and Music Festival held in Highland Park, California. What I took away from the concert was the importance of being connected to people who have control and power. This doesn't sound good even to me as I re-read what I just wrote, however it has become pretty clear that in order to secure well paying gigs a person must be qualified first, then know someone who can get you the job.