Wednesday night's blues jam - our host band was the Volker Strifler band. Volker is a wonderful guitar player - and is a member of the Ford Brothers Blues Band, along with this bass player, Dewayne Pate. The drummer - Kevin Hayes - is Robert Cray's drummer. The keyboard player is Chip Roland - plays with Volker frequently, among other greats. Never played "Strange Brew" before - fun!
At about 8 minutes in the video segues to another tune they did - a jazz number by Dave Brubeck, I believe. I wasn't up there - I ran the jam that night so I was running the tip bucket around for these guys. But it is some cool music......
Nice playing, Greg! I dig that guitarist-no doubt influenced by Robben Ford. That is magic, when you get to play with folks like that. I dug hearing harp on Strange Brew, too-definitely a first. ---------- Todd
@Todd - that is the "Club Fox" in Redwood City, CA- used to be called "Little Fox" as it is next to the 2500 seat Fox Theatre - one of the few remaining Fox theaters up and down the San Francisco peninsula. Used to be one in every city. The Club Fox is a really nice venue - capacity 300. We run a pro jam there every Wednesday night that is extremely successful. The format is that every week we hire a different "host" band - best pro bands we can get, mostly from the SF Bay Area but not always. They do a 1 hour set 7-8PM, then we open to jammers. Host band comes up again at 9 or 9:30 and does another 45minute set. For jammers - we choose who gets up - and manage it for the quality of the music first. Yes, it pisses some idiots off who feel entitled to play just because they signed the list - but variety and music quality is what keeps our built-in audience coming back, which in turn keeps the venue happy. The host bands are paid by a combination of $$ from the venue, $$ from a sponsor we dig up every week, and tips. Volker's band made about $750 total for playing two short sets Wednesday night - typical for a good band - and most pro bands consider that good money - so EVERYONE wins. The house also pays a sound guy to run the board every night, and we provide a great backline of amps so no time is wasted with people setting up their own gear. Great sound! The jam has a web site: http://www.rwcbluesjam.com
That sounds like a good thing you got going there greg! It is fun playing with great musicians. I use to do it frequently and it is so much easier playing with people that are good. Its like your brain goes into cruise control and you just feel it. Cool stuff! Rock on Greg!
wow! Damn! That's exactly what what I would have played!! well, let's say...I was 'feelin' your solo bro! What were you playing through? That definitely was not the PA. Nice rippin style! I'll stop by this summer. I get vacation time after mid June. I had a great time at the Eureka Blues Festival last Labor Day...saw ROd and Kim. and a bunch of other cats n kittens. It always nice to get off the rock for a little R&R., and inspiration. Real nice to hear you play. You're very good! Aloja,
---------- Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
"What were you playing through? That definitely was not the PA. Nice rippin style!"
Thanks - BlowsMeAway wood mic, SJ Avenger. The camera was pretty far from the harp amp, which was right in front of the sound guy, so it wasn't very loud in the house system - to me the recorded sound was a little thin and odd. Ordinarily I set up on the other side - the sound guy doesn't hear the amp as much directly so brings it up more in the house. ---------- /Greg
Outstanding harmonica, in spite of the failed efforts of the sound man. My contempt for keyboards that sound like organs knows no bounds...bet he can play hell out of a piano though. Where are uuuuuuuuuuu piano sound? Regards, "Old Grouchy"
I need to search it under YouTube because videos on the forum don't work on my iPod Touch after the site change. (My PC monitor is being serviced)
Last Edited by on Mar 26, 2011 10:17 AM
A fellow Mississippi artist and friend of mine once said in an interview that he always makes sure that most or all of his band is better than he is. I think that's an excellent attitude.
As a Mississippi player (not sure about artist)im never as good as i once thought i was. Good musicians can inspire you while on stage to go places you didnt think possible
