[Harp-L] NYC jams

[dennis moriarty <dmoriarty@xxxxxxxxxx>]

             I'm going to get as definitive as I can about jams in  
and around NYC. Forget about the Roadhouse and the Murray Street Grill  
on Murray Street. The latter succeeded the former and both were owned/ 
operated by a hothead named Arthur who has a horrific rep in the  
business for stiffing the musicians and not paying taxes on his joints  
which chronically  
close 
.                                                                                                        As 
 far as the jams in adjacent Hoboken, N.J.(easily accesible by the  
Path train from NYC or driving): Indeed Joe Taino (a dynamite  
guitarist) hosts the Saturday jam at "Scotland Yard"  from 4-7 p.m.  
and the Monday night jam from 9:30 p.m until late and indeed Alex is a  
great blues harp guy originally from South America. A few months back  
Scotland Yard was sold and much of their staff were fired (Including  
Christine Santelli who tended bar, booked, and sang there). As a  
protest Big Ed Sullivan who has hosted the Monday night jam there for  
well over a decade moved his jam over to the nearby "Dubliner" (both  
Scotland Yard and the Dubliner are within walking distance and have  
websites). The Dubliner also decided to create a competitive Saturday  
afternoon jam from 4-7 hosted by V.D. King and his band "Better off  
Dead". On Monday nights at the Dubliner the local big guns come out  
for an essentially pro-jam, e.g., Dave Gross, Poppa Chubby, Mike  
Torres, V.D. King and Arthur Nielson. The house band with Big Ed and  
Arthur Nielson are talented and fun. Arthur (Shamekia Copeland's  
guitarist and music director) does a flaming guitar duo thing each  
week. All these guys from Alex to Big Ed to Joe  are my friends and  
they keep doing this stuff for little compensation. I usually play  
with Big Ed's house band every two weeks. These jams tend to be very  
very guitar heavy in talent and  
volume 
.                                                                                       From 
 what I know of Jon Paris's thing in BB's on Times Square (NYC) it's  
not a jam per se (although my friend Sean- a guitarist- has never went  
there without being invited up) but whatever the definition of his gig  
I'm sure dropping Rob P's name will get you up there.  Other things in  
NYC: Dave Fields (another super guitarist) host a jam at 147 Bleeker  
Street at "The Biter End" once to twice a month (next on 01/ 11) at 10  
p.m. Dave is a good guy and tight friends with Billy Gibson who comes  
up from time to time to play with Dave. Finally Jason Rosen hosts a  
jam from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Tuesdays at Kenny's Castaways at 157  
Bleeker street (NYC) that my guitarist says is a rhythm and blues  
blast. None of these are harp heavy but if you've got the talent (or  
not depending on the jam) and you persevere you'll get up there. Hope  
this clarifies the NYC jam thing for some. (Long gone are the Chicago  
Blues, Manny's, Dan Lynch, Abilines, Kavehaz, Tribecca Blues days) My  
best and happy 2009. d
   http://www.myspace.com/blowintheblues