Re: [Harp-L] St. Louis

["Greg Hommert" <mythacles@xxxxxxx>]

That I know of;
Monday night hosts a fairly decent "jam session" at the Beale on Broadwa.  
Really just the Shaky Ground Band plays and anyody wanting to sit in with 
them is completely welcome if able. There used to be a good one on sunday 
afternoon at hammerstone's, but I've been told by a few prior members that 
it has gone way downhill due to poor leadership, and most of the members 
have quit (out of the regulars).  Mondays at the Oyster Bar the Soulard 
Blues Band plays regularely, but from experience i'd have to say that it 
might be a bit more difficult for a harp player to take part in the weekly 
festivities since Jim Mclerren left.

But as far as jams are really concerned, you are going to have to track down 
Eric Mcspadden to figure that one out, in my opinion he's the center of 
attention on St. Louis blues harmonica.  He has this strange tendancy of 
taking newcomers under his wing and making sure they finda place to play, 
whether they get paid for it or not.  I say this from experience, he is a 
dear frend, and a true blues master. he used to play mondays with the Shaky 
Ground Band, you might find him there; other than that I know that he is 
working alot right now with the Rich Mcdonough Band (my favorite, by far, 
St. Louis blues group).  Keep a close eye on the Soulard area and you're 
bound to run into him.  If not, I know also that the bottoms up blues gang 
is also always welcoming of a friend to jam with, try your luck w/ them if 
you enjoy delta style playing (their harp player's adam, or sometimes johnny 
diamond are also really great.  Very nice guys, and both individually 
talented.)

If you don't necessarily like blues, then try and contact Sandy Weltmann for 
jazz tips, and where that stuff goes down... sorry though, its been my take 
that jazz playing for a harmonica plyer in st. louis, usually only comes 
through invitiation only, but then again myabe i'm looking in all th wrong 
places.

For rock music you want Jim Mclerren.  he used to play with the soulard 
blues band, so in light of this, you might say he has a pretty good name 
locally.  A few years ago he left the band to go out and do his own thing.  
Like i said, he plays alot of rock right now.

I did play locally for awhile, (mostly through the jam sessions and 
musicians mentioned above, but because of that, some on my own as well; 
check out timsession.com)  however I haven't done so since december at 
least. i'm still finishing out my senior year of highschool.  And other than 
being preoccupied with that, unless I'm w/ someone in the band I already 
know, it's fairly difficult to get into the blues bars for me to play at 
all.. seeing as I am a minor.  but it's all good times, I know enough people 
aorund town locally to be able to find something if I try really hard.  I 
find that most st. louis harp- players, and otherwise, are all extremely 
friendly and open to new musicians, especially if you are young, seeing as 
it's not as popular now amongst youth as it once was, that and its hard to 
find a solid harp player under twenty.

Hope this helps!  keep posting, or reply personally to me if you need more 
direction on where to go.  Once summer hits you should run into me at least 
once if you are down in soulard.. i tend to live there when i'm not in 
school.