From: Michael Easton <diachrome@xxxxxxxxxxx>
CC: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re: Open Jams
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2005 18:12:01 -0400
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On Aug 25, 2005, at 12:14 PM, icemanle@xxxxxxx wrote:
This is a good idea, but try to have the host band limit their set to 1/2 hr or so, just to warm up the room.
I've been to too many jams where the bar was full of jammers waiting to play and the host band plays 45 min - hour, takes a 20 minute break and then begins the jamming.
I'm involved with 2 jams. The one my band host as the house band and the one Merx mentioned. The town were my band host the jam is more of a rock musician town then blues. The quality of the local players that come into the bar is pretty bad. Some are rank beginners on their instrument. Week after week we back up new guitarists wanting to play either Red House <snore> or some Allman Bros. tune they aren't qualified to play given their limited ablility.
Luckily some of our blues playing friends make the trek and help to keep the sit-ins from being a total train wreck.
While we have managed to fill up the bar/restaurant on a monday night over the past 8 months I'm starting to notice patrons leaving when it comes time to call up jammers. On average there are maybe 4-6 jammers and about 60 patrons. The quality of the product tends to drop when the locals sit in. We do play the first set then call the jammers up for the last hour. It's only a 3 hour gig. In our situation, most of the people are there to hear us rather then hear the jammers.
Remember, the jammers are not really there to hear the host band. The jammers only get 2 - 3 songs to show their stuff, too.
Actually they should be there to hear us. :-) We try to give everyone at least 2 songs but we cut it short if they make a mess of it or invite them to come back the following week if they are good.
As with any jam the musicians should know the music that is being offered. It's not a showcase for their ego or to show off to their friends.
However, if there is no one there yet, the host band fills the hole.
Also, have the host band be ready to call up the jammers as soon as they finish instead of taking a 20 minute break and then calling up the jammers.
Now the other jam is one I use to host for the local blues society. It has been in existence since 1997. We had to move from our old location last fall due to hurricane related flooding. The new home is based at a 40 et 8 club which is a vets social club. It is open to the public on thursday nights when we host the jam.
Things have gotten way out of hand since the move with both musicians and audience attendance. Since the social club is on a large piece of property in the woods musicians and audience spill out onto the porch to drink, socialize and hear the music. Unfortunately musicians starting to show up from nowhere. Mostly horn players. There are more players then we can arrange groups so some guys get cut while others get bumped.
It has become a very complicated mess with rookie players, pro divas/ guitar gods and not enough of some players and too many of others.
I pushed to have the host finally get paid after doing it on and off for free for 8 years.
The problem will be solved but I'm afraid some musicians will have to be cut from the jam to make room for those that really know how to and want to play the music we support which is blues.
mike _______________________________________________ Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l