[Harp-L] Re: Jam Band

["Jonathan Metts" <jonathan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jam music is more a style and form than genre.  Although the definition is very loose, jam music tends to blend rock or bluegrass instrumentation with jazz form (head > improv > head).  This is a huge umbrella category that encompasses practically every kind of music you can think of.  Inclusiveness and experimentation are hallmarks of jam music.  This is why I have long been recommending to Jason Ricci that he market himself more to the "jam band" crowd; they are up for anything that makes them dance.  As a band that blends many different kinds of music and employs both tight arrangements and long improvisations, New Blood fits perfectly into the jam music non-genre.  It's the least restrictive label in all of music.  Note that "jam" is not even a recognized genre at music stores; it's usually just filed under "Rock".

Harp content: Galactic is a well known funk band that plays to jam band audiences and employs amplified harmonica along with other horns.

Jonathan Metts