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

[jeffwind@xxxxxxx]

Evan...sounds like a totally awesome night...and sounds very familiar to a place here in St. Louis that hosts a Tuesday night blues jam, Hwy 61 Roadhouse.  The atmosphere you describe is exactly what me and my fellow harmonica buddies experience each and everytime we go.  The host is Alvin Jett of a local blues band called Alvin Jett and the Phat Noiz.  Alvin and his bass player Matt host the jam. There is always a mix of players and instruments: guitars, drums, keyboards, sax, fiddles and harmonicas.  I think Alvin enjoys the harps, because he always gets us up 3-5 times a night to play

I just started hitting this scene maybe 6 months ago and was scared to death my first time up.....but now it is in my blood and I want to go more than my usual once a month.  Alvin has been very supportive, as has everyone  I  have had the chance to play with.  Because of this atmosphere and not the "ego" gigs you have mentioned, I feel it has given me the confidence to pursue my quest to become a pretty darn good blues harmonica player someday.

I tip my hat to all musicians that host jams of this venue and give us rookies a chance to spread our wings.  

I will be in Chicago on business around Oct 9-10.  Probably staying in the downtown area.  How far/long what it take me to get to this place?

If you are ever in the St. Louis area....you must drop in.

Jeff

-------------- Original message from 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 
> 
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