If you got up on the bandstand at Minton's and couldn't play, you were not only going to be embarrassed by the people ignoring you or booing you, you might get your ass kicked.
The bandstand is a sacred place.
I wish we could just stay on the bandstand, it's so peaceful up here.
The best practice you can get is on the bandstand, but in between gigs I feel I have to stay in shape.
This is our bandstand. If you don't want to play, get up off the instrument and leave.
Listen more to the other players on the bandstand than you do to yourself.