Re: [Harp-L] Blues jam too big now

[Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for the kind words.
Michael Rubin
Michaelrubinharmonica.com


On Mon, Sep 2, 2013 at 12:36 PM, Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>
> On Sep 2, 2013, at 10:04 AM, Warren Bee <wbharptime2@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > 1) When the circle gets big it is a long time before it makes its way all
> > of the way around.
>
> Warren is definitely right. Joe does a great job wrangling all the cats
> (double entendre intended). However, it does take a long time to go around
> the circle during which it's all too easy to detach from the song. In
> addition to enduring a shuffle in E for 8,000 verses, it's nerve wracking
> to listen to all the great solos preceding and wondering how I'm going to
> 1. contribute to the musical conversation without playing a "me too" solo
> and 2. measure up the talent in the circle.
>
> The one thing I do like about the late night jam, and this might make it
> worthwhile no matter what, is having an opportunity to make music with some
> of the most talented harp players on the planet. When else does a semi-pro
> harp player like me get to play alongside Rick Estrin, or Jason Ricci, or
> Charles Spranklin or Jimi Lee or Michael Rubin or Christelle, or Jay Gaunt
> or Todd Parrot or Chris Michalek etc.?
>
> My best jamming memories, however, come from the accidental couch jams
> with small groups. I remember one time sitting with Slideman Slim stumbling
> through some jazz on my chromatic along side various luminaries. Everyone
> was so generous it didn't matter that I could barely keep up. Or the time I
> hung with Todd Parrot and a few other guys or the time I sat at a table by
> the pool in the dark with Andy Garigue and some other guys and a guitar
> player or when I stumbled upon a small bluegrass jam at VA Beach and
> discovered that a blues boy like me could contribute.
>
> But those impromptu jams require an outgoing personality and good timing.
> Maybe we could set up the jam equivalent of speed dating and have a number
> of smaller circles with volunteer guitar players going at various times
> during the day and night. The hard part, I think, is finding enough guitar
> players to go around. SPAH is a harmonica convention after all.
>
>
> Bob Cohen
> Writer, Internet Consultant, Teacher
> w: bobjcohen.com
> t: #itsabobworld
>