Its an obsession. Those whom God wants to keep poor He makes them love Jazz. You wake up in the morning thinking of this arcane, infuriating, complex music – thoughts on jazz theory follow you all day, in all idle moments, you can’t wait to get on to your instrument to try out a new idea,  – it’s a drug, and you can’t do without it. In then end you have to try doing it for a living. ..

How to negotiate prices for your band  “How much does your band cost?” she asks on the telephone. So what do you say now? You may be strong enough  in your field to be confident of telling her firmly the two prices you charge – one for public events and one for private functions.  There are three steps in negotiating the best price for your band
Free publicity for yourself on the web  See the links section  for several UK sites which will list you and or your band. The most important is the BBC site followed by the Jazz Services site which is designed really for all the pro’s and semi pro’s.  I rang them to ask for advice on getting a band into the European Festivals and the boss man could not have been more helpful and knowledgeable.  
Music software for pros Band in A Box is good for backing tracks, transposing, even downloading one Real Book for free. For composition software you need Sibelius and there is Steinberg, Cubasis4 System for recording software. All listed in links.
Teaching jazz? If you teach jazz you should get yourself listed on three sites by your instrument and your area, and at Jazz services. But dress up your entry a bit, if you supply backing tapes and music then say so – the existing entries are too dull. They are all steak, no sizzle.
To get gigs in your area For venues with entertainment licences; ask your local authority – at district level - and get a list of the establishments with an entertainments licence.