[Harp-L] A Blues Jam Gone... Right?

[Evan Meagher <emeagher2009@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

We always hear about the jams gone wrong, so here's on that just turned out great. I just moved up from downtown Chicago to Evanston, and hit the Tuesday jam at Bill's Blues Bar in Evanston for the first time last night.

I've been to my share of jams over the years, and generally I've found you need to go three or four straight weeks, playing competently each time, to be considered an insider, a known commodity that's not going to bring the place down in flames. It makes sense, especially given the negative reputation of harmonica players in general, but I still find it  somewhat exclusive and clique-ish. The clubs in Chicago are the worst at that, in my opinion, because there's so much pro- and semipro-level talent in the city, it's tough to wiggle in and get a chance to play before 2 in the morning.

So anyway, I saddle up to the door around ten and figure it'll be an hour and a half at least before I get to play. The door man greets me with a huge smile and enthusiastically asks me "Hey, what you got in there? Oh, HARPS? Man, that's GREAT! What's your name? I'm gonna get you right up there, so get ready!" Smiles all around. People are fist-pounding and slapping high fives,  smoking butts outside. A guy leaving gives the doorman a big hug, says he'll see him next week, introduces himself to me saying we'll play together soon. It was like Bizarro Blues Jam World- up was down, left was right, everyone was absurdly friendly, and the guy running the jam couldn't *wait*  to put an unknown harp player up on stage right away. Whaaa???

My buddy and I sit down, grab a beer, and he turns to me asking how many times I've been here, because I seem to know everyone. I just shrug- "dude, I just met all these people five minutes ago."

Anyway, long story short, I'm less than halfway through my beer when I get called up. Less than ten minutes at a jam I've never played before and I'm on stage for four or five songs. They're shuffling guitarists, singers, and drummers, but the guy running the jam keeps saying "No, man, stay up there!"

Every time I go to a jam after a long layoff, I remember how exciting and fun it can be, but usually it also reminds me of the petty blues politics, one-upmanship, and ego contests that you run into. Last night was the first time I can remember where there was absolutely none of that, just a bunch of cool, tolerant, friendly, fun-loving musicians, getting together, having a few beers, and having a good time over a jam. I've been reading Adam Gussow's Journeyman's Road (nice little Scott Gold cameo in there, by the way) and it just reminded me of how he described his old stomping ground Dan Lynch in New York, and how a good blues jam can be such a conduit for feelings of community, togetherness, and mutual appreciation.

As for my playing, it was sloppy in the way that a long layoff and a few beers at dinner will make for a little bit of rust, but it didn't matter. Not only did I know no one was scrutinizing me, or trying to cut heads, but I was having such a good time that I didn't even care. This is the kind of place that will keep me practicing, and coming back. If you're ever north of Chicago, I highly, highly recommend it.

Cheers,

Ev