Fwd: Re: [Harp-L] SPAH Jazz Jams

["Winslow Yerxa" <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Actually, there were informal jazz jams happeining as well. I
witnessed at least one, with Jimi Lee holding down guitar anchor with
Buckwheat on acoustic bass guitar, and contributions by Warren Bee,
Jimmy Gordon, Chris Michalek, Allen Homes, and (dang, I can see him
and hear him; others have mentioned him but his name is not coming to
me right now - sorry). 

There were also some electric jams with Shawn Starski and Buckwheat on
guitar and bass (just another part of the enrichment Jason Ricci
brings with him when he comes), and various harp players.

The cool thing about this is its flexibility. No format issues - it's
whatever the small group participating agrees on. The above-mentioned
acoustic jam featured chord progressions made up on the spot for the
sake of exploration.

The more I look back on this, the cooler it is. People just getting
together and making things happen.

Winslow

--- In harp-l-archives@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Tim Moyer" <wmharps@...> wrote:

John Balding wrote:
> Is there a possibility that the Jazz Jams could be divided 
> into two ability levels, i.e. - Pro and Beginner/Advanced? 
> To me, this would help alleviate some of the ego problems or 
> beginners' fear issues which may have surfaced in the past. 

I don't support ideas that further attempt to divide people at SPAH 
on any lines.  One of the beauties of the blues jam is the 
egalitarianism, where an unknown first time attendee gets the same 
number of bars to express themselves as a seasoned pro.  You just 
have to check your ego at the door.  It helps to have a moderator 
like Buzz Krantz, who while he can be a big teddy bear, can also 
clamp down the thumbscrews when he needs to.  I still remember that 
look he gave me when I was shouting from the peanut gallery to 
extend the solos to 24 bars.  Sure shut me up.  

Sure, some people find this too intimidating to play.  To help with 
this, Michael Rubin started a "pre-jam" to help newbies with their 
jamming chops and etiquette, and Jimi Lee was running an afternoon 
jam that usually had smaller groups.  All these things have sprung 
up from the grassroots to support the blues jam.  

Similar things can happen with the jazz jam if there is interest and 
participation.  I'm not saying that the jazz jams should be 
structured this way at all.  I like the idea of being able to maybe 
sign up, and then call a tune, and share it with one or two or three 
other players, rather than spending 30 minutes making the rounds 
with one progressions, as the blues jams do.  But my point is that 
if people are encouraged to participate the jam can find its own 
solutions to problems that might arise.  

-tim






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