Hi all.  I have been following the thread on performances very closely.
I play piano rolls at Jazz Festivals so have a vested interest.  It is
impossible not to feel sympathy for the genuine hobbyist -- and I
consider myself one -- whose prime aim is simply to spread the word
about valued music.

Tracking down copyright owners could take a lifetime in itself.
Surely now, a valid method would be to advertise your intentions on
the net and await responses.  Is there a suitable commercial forum for
such an approach?  For instance, in the UK there is the Performing
Rights Society.  I will do some research here on the subject.

This would only be the same as advertising in the public notices
section of a newspaper.  There are well-established precedents for
road-building, bankruptcies, wedding banns, etc., in this respect.

Just my two ha'pennyworth.

Roger Waring
Solihull
UK