“On the Gig” From: duh Facebook pg. of Eric Reed

Each bandleader has his own method of calling tunes and/or sets:

Joe Henderson would say, “Invite”? (as in “Invitation”)

Freddie Hubbard would raise his trumpet in the air and you 
had to play the downbeat with him - anything

Wynton Marsalis used specific foot-stomps or rhythmic “mm’s" 

Buster Williams would often ask me to put the set together - and he loathes announcing during the set

Quincy Fielding Jr. would say, “Please don’t ask me - I have no idea"

There isn’t always sufficient prep time to be quite as organized as I like, so, I tend to prepare set lists way in advance. I always type out (or group text) a set list (subject to change) to the band, and transition thematically from song to song. Whatever happens in between is anybody’s guess. When I want to play something, whatever I’m playing will be the cue. I’ve been told that my verbal count-offs often don’t match where I wind up once the tune starts - so, I just start playing. When the train starts moving, jump on before the doors close.