Re: [Harp-L] RE: Harp-L Digest, Vol 36, Issue 43

["Matt Smart" <matthewsmart@xxxxxxxxx>]

It is hard for an amateur to play in the same circle as a pro or
accomplished player it is very intimidating. Might explain lack of
participation. My personal belief is that I would like to see more
pros mentor the up and comers. In my personal opinion, the beginner
harp player is the most important person in the room. They are the
one's that are going to buy your cd's, attend your shows and continued
to further the harmonica...

Jimi Lee did a cool thing in Alabama with me...I was in the harmonica
purchase area and he just walked right up to me starting playing
guitar with harp in a rack and said "cmon, let's play." I refused at
first and then he said cmon..so he played a little riff..and I
followed...then he played a little more and I did so on and so forth.
It got to the point where we were trading little solos. Now, Jimi Lee
is much better than me, but he played at my level instead of smoking
me. It gave me the confidence to participate in the jams the rest of
the weekend. Just my 2 cents...Jimi is one cool dude..I would like to
see more pros act like him..

On 8/22/06, Tom Stryker <tstryker@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi Randy,
>
> A number of things were wrong with the Jam.
> 1. The foremost was that the attendance was very poor.  It started at 9:30
> and that was while the ballroom show was going on.  I would be surprised if
> 10 people attended.
> 2.  Lucky if there were six players in the room.   Of the six, the majority
> were heavy hitters on jazz which could be intimidating.
> 3. Getting the players up to play was also an issue right from the beginning
> 4.  The sound system had no attendee on the first night and it about killed
> you
> 5.  The second night, we were only allotted 45 minutes. It was also very
> poorly attended. At the morning management meeting, I expressed concerns
> about the lack of participation.  However, we all agree that it will
> continue.
> 6.  The location was quite poor and it was not easy to find.  It should have
> been where people could not miss it. A lot needs to be done to bring it into
> focus.
>
>
> >From the beginning, players were encouraged and invited to participate, but
> it was tough to get them up.  The opening announcement and subsequent
> announcements were "if you want a chorus our more, jump in and play." This
> included the diatonic guys.  Since there were so few people there, there was
> no limitation on the choruses the first night.  The second night with only
> 45 minutes, a limit of one chorus one was put up.  Jelly and PT both
> attended and stayed for most of both sessions, although they not
> participate.  Their take on all of this would be interesting.
>
> For the diatonic players that were there for the entire session," I am
> confident that they would say that they were quite welcome although we did
> not play blues.   Yes, some had to wait to play because there were previous
> commitments, but certainly no bias as I am a great supporter of all
> harmonicas and other instruments.  Jimmy brought in a college girl who
> specialized in jazz and did a vocal with us.
>
> Finally, Joe's remark about being lame is curious.  It may be because of the
> setting and the lack of participation.  The backup band was very good
> though.
>
> Bottom line, the jam requires a lot of work and this year was quite
> disappointing.  It needs more participation and a better venue at the right
> time.  Next year, I will not run the session and welcome volunteers.  The
> goal will be to position it so it will meet everyone's expectations, be
> inclusive of all players and have good attendance.  My apologies for it not
> being what it should have been.  After all, to have players like Chris and
> George sit in is a treat.
>
> Thanks for asking,
>
> Tom
>
> ======================
> Message: 13
> Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2006 00:58:38 -0400
> From: Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] SPAH 2006
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <318B7110-F58D-455A-ACA7-F92F5D14A246@xxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
>
>
> On Aug 21, 2006, at 1:09 PM, Chris Michalek wrote:
> > I woke up in time for the jazz jam. George Brooks and I tried to
> > participate but were met with fairly heavy and negative resistance,
> > I truly felt like I was in a strange town where I had to convince
> > the jam leader that I could play jazz on the harmonica.  We were
> > told to wait until the break.
>
> Strange, I dropped out specifically so you COULD have room to play.
> While there were some players who don't know when to put a lid on it,
> I am not one of them.
>
> > During the break I asked again to play and then was told the band
> > would do a few numbers before they brought up the blues guys.
>
> I was unaware of that. This saddens me.
>
> I skipped the jazz jam as it was quite lame and uninviting the night
> before.
>
> I agree, and I myself didn't play.
>
> > Stu Hunter was damn impressive as well.
>
> Actually Stan Harper (p.s. last name is a stage name)
>
> > Tom Albanese (damn!!!!)
>
> Tom was there? Somehow I missed him. :(
>
> smokey-joe
> >
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 10:51 PM
> To: Tom Stryker
> Subject: jazz club review
>
> hi tom
>
> i read this a few times.
>
> any idea why?
>
>
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
>
> "I skipped the jazz jam as it was quite lame and uninviting the night
> before.
>
> I agree, and I myself didn't play."
>
>
>
>
>
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--
Matthew Smart
matthewsmart@xxxxxxxxx