bluzharper
41 posts
Dec 27, 2012
12:59 AM
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I had someone ask me recently what was the worst thing that's happened to me at a blues jam? I recalled one night when a prostitute, "doesn't make her bad people",
reached into my case and grabbed a harp and started wailing on it then asked, "well what do you think?" I replied, "your awesome, keep it" no way I was playing that harp again, God knows where that mouth had been. Then there was the time a guitar player jumped on stage in the middle of a song and decided he was going to play, right now! We stopped when he started to unplug stuff and I told
him "everyone gets to play, just wait your turn". He replied "I'll shoot your ass", and headed for the door.
Needless to say this was in very bad neighborhood, and in an Irish Bar, BTW I'm 100% Irish, well I followed him to the door, then went outside and I explained to him that that wasn't gonna happen, if ya get my drift, Ouch !!!
The cops came and away he went... A night I'll never forget.
I'd be very interested in hearing your adventures, if you care to share.
bluzharper
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Rick Davis
1064 posts
Dec 27, 2012
6:38 AM
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It is pretty rare that my jam at Ziggies in Denver is bad. Sometimes people are a pain in the ass, for sure. Here are a 10 things that harsh my mellow at the jam:
1. Jammers who whine/complain incessantly about the other players I put them up with.
2. Guitar players who play WAY too loud and WAY too much.
3. Jammers who put drinks on amps that don't belong to them. One guy spilled a beer onto my pedal board and ruined a wireless unit.
3. Singers who call a tune that has little relationship to the blues. The other players up there are expecting to play something related to a 12-bar 3-chord blues tune. If you throw odd keys or time signatures or weird chord changes at them they feel justifiably cheated. It is a blues jam and the players came to play blues. Here is my rule: If it takes more than a few seconds to explain the song to the other players it is a bad choice for a blues jam.
4. Jammers who insist on doing a solo or duo set. That creates a bottleneck and slows down a busy jam. I often have to say no and then they get all pissed off. They can play with other jammers if they want, just like everybody else.
5. Jammers who bogart the stage. I know it's fun, but c'mon... We don't want to hear your 72-bar solo. 24 bars is plenty: Use the first 12 to build the tension and the second 12 to hit your big chops. Then pass it back to the singer.
6. Jammers who pester the host too much, for whatever reason.
7. Jammers I've never met before who come up to me and start bragging about their credentials. I've heard it all, and they usually turn out to be typical jam players, just louder. Really good players never do this.
8. Obnoxious drunks.
9. Jammers who drink only water. C'mon, man... support the venue! Order a Coke or a Red Bull or an NA Beer or something.
10. This one is kind of touchy but... Jammers who have no proficiency with their instrument. We love newbies at the jam, but if you are a drummer please have some drum time beyond banging along with Led Zeppelin in your basement. Bad drummers are the biggest drag on any jam set. The other players hate it.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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The Iceman
601 posts
Dec 27, 2012
6:45 AM
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My least favorite jam moments:
1. Guitar players who play WAY too loud and WAY too much.
2. Guitar players who play WAY too loud and WAY too much.
3. Guitar players who play WAY too loud and WAY too much.
4. Guitar players who play WAY too loud and WAY too much.
and my least favorite experience at a jam....
Guitar players who play WAY too loud and WAY too much.
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The Iceman
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6SN7
231 posts
Dec 27, 2012
6:49 AM
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To be fair to our guitar friends..........
My lest favorite moment are harp players that play wasy too long, loud and step all over the vocals and other solos thinking they are "comping."
And 3 songs means 3 not 4,5,6.
Rick, people like you should get a medal!
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Rick Davis
1065 posts
Dec 27, 2012
7:14 AM
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6SN7, thanks but no medal is necessary. I really dig running the jam. It is rewarding in itself. I agree with you about harp players who blow too much, and about long sets. Our rule is 3 songs or 20 minutes.
More about the jam here
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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The Iceman
602 posts
Dec 27, 2012
7:09 AM
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Best jam was host band playing short 20 minute set and then gettin' those jammers up off the list quick....
Leaders of the jam with the least ego make the best coordinators.
Also enjoyed the host band on site to help fill out a "weak" group of musicians on stage....
Agree on the harp player who plays too much can be as bad as the guitar heroes splitting ear drums.
Personal pet peeve was showing up at a jam as an "unknown" (out of town jams, usually), signing up early, but being made to wait till the end before being called.
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The Iceman
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Rick Davis
1067 posts
Dec 27, 2012
7:34 AM
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Iceman, we go by list order. If you came in early you would get up on stage early.
We play an opening set whose length kind of depends on the number of jammers. If it looks packed early we play 20 minutes. If not we play 40 minutes. We also play a short set to close the show at the end.
I agree that a big ego in a jam host is not a good idea. And we do indeed put host band members up in sets that need help.
Iceman, it sounds like you would make a very good jam host!
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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Rick Davis
1068 posts
Dec 27, 2012
7:37 AM
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This is a good topic; I'm glad to see it here on the Forum. I think blues jams are important.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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Philosofy
436 posts
Dec 27, 2012
7:35 AM
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I was at a jam known for being pretty good, but since they didn't know me, I got up last with some other people they didn't know. So, I basically wait three hours to play one song, and the singer starts doing rap. Pretty pathetic.
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Tuckster
1230 posts
Dec 27, 2012
7:55 AM
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There's a band that has hosted for at least 10 years. They are all good musicians and the guitarist and drummer are pro level. It doesn't matter how many jammers are there, they always play an hour opening set.This is on a Wednesday and it doesn't start until 9 P.M. I've lost count of the number of jammers who have left in disgust because of the wait.
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The Iceman
603 posts
Dec 27, 2012
8:22 AM
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@rick davis...
probably wouldn't be a great jam host, as I've been known to be proactive with musicians who don't show the respect to the jam....pulling guitar cord out of amp when guitarist oversteps the rules, etc.
Great jam, but the host (me) would end up getting beat up by a biker jammer....
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The Iceman
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Kingley
2061 posts
Dec 27, 2012
8:25 AM
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Great subject.
Near me there aren't any dedicated "blues jams", but what there is are loads of "singers nights". Where players of various styles/genres perform their music for the crowd. Often there will be a bunch of blues players who jam rather than perform their own "set" pieces, like most of the others. The performers are of all ages, styles, abilities and are generally all respectful of each other and the various music being performed.
The main issue around here is the hosts of the various nights. We have a couple who run one of the nights, who open the night and play for about an hour as a duo before getting anyone up on stage. I should add this is on a weekday night when most folk have work the next day and on average these nights start around 9:30pm and sometimes as late as 10pm. They are obnoxiously loud, each tune is an average of twelve minutes long and they always screw everyone else over on the sound. Need less to say their nights are not very popular .
There is another host who drenches everything is so much reverb that it all becomes a kind of white noise at an ear splitting volume level.
Another who seems to think that more bass on every channel on the PA is the answer to everything, which always results in a muffled booming mess of a sound.
Luckily though there are one or two who are superb and play at sensible volumes, make plenty of time for each performer and are simply really nice people. Who go out of their way to help all the musicians. Those people always get my utmost respect and I will happily turn out for them whenever possible, simply to support their nights and acknowledge their support for their fellow musicians.
Last Edited by on Dec 27, 2012 8:35 AM
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Rick Davis
1069 posts
Dec 27, 2012
9:29 AM
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One interesting thing I've noticed... When I ask a band to do "one more song, please make it a short one," it almost always turns our to be a slow blues that takes at least 10 minutes.
BTW, the Mile High Blues Society is planning a series of "Blues Jam 101" events to educate the players about jam etiquette, stagecraft, soloing, expectations, etc.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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lumpy wafflesquirt
665 posts
Dec 27, 2012
10:23 AM
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Hay Rick
I think number 9 is a bit harsh. Some people don't drink alcohol and find soft drinks rather repulsive being pack full of sugar and other chemicals and rather over priced so water is the only option.
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
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Joe_L
2266 posts
Dec 27, 2012
11:23 AM
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"what was the worst thing that's happened to me at a blues jam?"
Most of the weird stuff tends to happen to other people.
To me, the worst thing is going to a blues jam and getting grouped with people who have zero interest in playing blues. I once got grouped with a guy who wanted to play some Ambrosia or Atlanta Rhythm Section songs at a blues jam.
Honestly, once I started leading songs and singing, my frustration level at jams went way down. Now, I just try to learn the players and only play what's in their sweet spot. If I have to explain a song, I won't do it. It's a recipe for disaster.
I've seen some funky crap go down at a jam, but it never happened to me personally.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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Kingley
2064 posts
Dec 27, 2012
11:35 AM
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Oh I'd almost forgotten about a drummer that used to come to some of the jam nights I played at years ago. He had a strange habit of just stopping for maybe 30 seconds or so in the middle of a song for no apparent reason at all. A bass player that used to do the same thing so he could drink his beer during a song. The same bass player would ask you mid song what key we were in, on every number too! I also remember a guitar player who used to play an intro to every song starting on the five chord. Once he got to the one chord of the first verse he'd then change the tempo completely. Kind of made things hard work.
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Steamrollin Stan
663 posts
Dec 27, 2012
12:29 PM
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Interesting subject, i've been at it every day and never been jammin with anyone,(cept harmonica boogie) feb 2008 was when i got serious with harmonica, maybe 2013 will be the year to throw myself at the masses, but the protocol i'm reading makes sense, i'll be a nice lad and play what's comfy and dont upset anyone, i hate the idea of some dude playing all over the wall and being a pain in the ass. So i figure if you please the host then you'll be asked back.
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naptown jack
14 posts
Dec 27, 2012
12:39 PM
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Anytime Stormy Monday is played with more than one of any solo insrtument, actually damn near anytime Stormy Monday is played. I played in a house band for several years in a great club and we had a no sit in policy unless we knew the person. One night while getting ready to start a gentleman approached the small bandstand asked if he could sing a tune with us. I kinda hemmed and hawed around without saying no. Our guitarist, who had had his back to the crowd spun around to set me and this fucker straight. He didn't say a word when he realized that the guy was looking me square in the eye but was stsnding on the floor damn near two feet below me. That's when we met BIG OSCAR, about 7 foot and 450. Hell of a nice guy too. Not a great singer but with that stage presence there sure as Hell wasn't any heckling. Another time at another place there were two couples at a table havin' a ball, throwin'$ around like crazy. During a break one guy asked me if his pal could sit in on guitar, it was his birthday. I politely declined explaining our position and all until he produced a monstrous roll of $. He peeled of almost as much as we were making that night. I immediatly agreed and this guy goes out to the car to get this dudes axe. He sneaked it in because it was to be a surprise. It was a big surprise to my bandmates too ,cause I didn't tell'em. I figured if they kicked me out of the band i'd just keep the dough. We were all surprised when he strapped on this beautifol old rig and proceeded to kick ass. We tried to keep him up all night but he said it would interfere with his drinkin'. Came in the next night too. A couple o pleasant exceptions to the rule.
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CarlA
213 posts
Dec 27, 2012
12:41 PM
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A few months ago, a harp player showed up at the local blues jam. He had his 4x10 harp amp and wireless mic. I was excited to see him fire up that rig. Once he started playing(and never stopped), he started insulting the host band and playing all over the singers vocals, I mean ripping into them. It got so bad that a fellow harp player had to throw him off stage-lol. I had to apologize to everyone on behalf of the "well-mannered" harp players out there!
So yeah, sometimes the harp players can be the culprits, although the guitar players still have the edge-lol
Last Edited by on Dec 27, 2012 12:43 PM
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Joe_L
2267 posts
Dec 27, 2012
1:49 PM
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That's funny. I try to forget the bad stuff.
I've played with plenty of drummers who couldn't keep time or broke a drum head during the middle of a song. Bass players who couldn't play a box shuffle pattern. Guitarists who refuse to play any sort of rhythm.
I'm lucky. Where I live there are a ton of great musicians. For me, the good experiences far outweigh the bad ones. In the past year, I've played with some amazing regional and touring talent at blues jams.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
Last Edited by on Dec 27, 2012 1:49 PM
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Rick Davis
1070 posts
Dec 27, 2012
2:26 PM
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Lumpy, if you drink only water I hope you are a good tipper. Ya gotta support the venue....
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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bluzharper
42 posts
Dec 27, 2012
3:17 PM
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Here's something I posted on Harmonica Lessons.com
way back when, regarding Jams....
Harp Players learn many different ways, the hard way is one you should avoid. Here's a few tips that might come in handy.
When sitting in with a Band:
•Remember your stage etiquette; don't walk on other players solos, dont walk on the vocals.
•Do a sound check if possible when blowing thru the club P.A. system, some mics feedback when cupped And, stay away from the front of the P.A. speakers, it's feedback city. Remember, nothing turns a crowd OFF like feedback.
•Don't drink too much, there's a fine line that shouldnt be crossed. You only think you sound better....
•Know the songs and the changes.
•If you have to "wing it", use moderation, less is better.
•The worst mistake I've seen harp players make, is playing too much... way too much.
•Know your gear, and how to set it up.
•Always carry an extension cord with extra 110 volt receptacles.
•If you use Effect Pedals, bring extra batteries if not using a 110 volt power supply. Batteries always die in the middle of songs.
•Carry a small flash light, pen light type, Stages can be very dark.
•Don't be a "stage hog" and try to steal the show, it's not your gig.
•Be kind to everyone, remember you're a guest; thank everyone in the band, tip when you buy drinks, tell the owner what a great club they have. In this day and age, people remember kindness.
•Be humble and modest when getting a compliment. Remember, no matter how good you are, theres always a player who can kick your butt.
•Last but not least, enjoy. Music is not a competition (unless you're a guitar player).
Last Edited by on Dec 27, 2012 3:18 PM
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smwoerner
159 posts
Dec 27, 2012
4:07 PM
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Regarding supporting the venue…one thing I try to do on the occasions when I go to jam or to see a band and I’m not drinking or eating is to buy a drink for one or two of the regulars, especially the non-jammer regulars.
Just grab the bartender or one of the wait staff and tell them you’re not drinking tonight but, you wanted to say thanks for hosting the jam and have them deliver a couple of drinks on your tab, then leave a nice tip. If you don’t know a regular they’re sure to have a preferred customer you can by a drink for.
I do this so the owner and the staff see the value of hosting the jam. It can buy a lot of goodwill…and even as a jammer I’ve been bought my share of drinks so in the end I’m sure it all works out.
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Joe_L
2271 posts
Dec 27, 2012
6:58 PM
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These threads are always kind off sad to me. They are filled with a lot of negativity. Recently, i have been reflecting on the musical stuff that has happened to me this past year.
Overall, it has been a pretty good year. My plan is to make 2013 a better year than 2012, which was better than 2011.
Forget the worst experiences and chalk them up to paying your dues.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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garry
312 posts
Dec 27, 2012
7:15 PM
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regarding supporting the venue: at a jam i used to frequent, there was a band that showed up every week to play. they were young, still in high school, but the venue overlooked that. but every week, they'd show up with an entourage of their friends, maybe a dozen other kids. they'd come in, take up all the tables, never order anything, then leave once their friends played. i pulled the lead singer aside one night and explained to him that this was a problem, and why. i suggested he ask his friends to order a coke or some fries or something, anything, as a gesture of support. they didn't listen, and were banned a few weeks later.
i'm not a big drinker, but i order a manhattan every time, and chat up the bartenders or owner, so they know i'm there to play. if you want the jam to continue, you have to make it worth their while.
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walterharp
1012 posts
Dec 27, 2012
7:52 PM
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I will go the other way... A few years back going to Girona Spain I was looking up local blues jams and saw a website of a very nice looking young Catalonian woman mention a jam she played at. I dragged the wife to it, it was a hole in the old Roman wall, and it ended up late and we had nothing to eat. My wife was getting a bit impatient, but I signed up for a spot and they called me up for a song. I led a jump boogie with the harp, traded with the jam leader on keys and the crowd really went wild (new blood from "Kansas City" and at least I didn't suck). Got back to my seat and the free drinks started coming in. The wife got a lot happier.. Second set they called me up again and I called a slow blues, then they asked if I minded if the female harp player sat in. So I started the slow grinding blues took a turn, she took one, then we started trading licks wand she put her legs on either side of one of mine. The crowd ate it up. Got done and my wife mentioned the harp player was quite good and rather nice looking.. We got a few more free drinks and after the set finally got a great Catalan dinner at the restaurant across the street. One of those gigs where you just leave thinking life is good! Fun people, fun crowd, good backup band, and a great wife!
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capnj
78 posts
Dec 27, 2012
8:22 PM
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Totally agree with the Iceman,that is experience talking.Bluzharper's list is close to biblical for any newbie.Rick runs a good ship,if they don't like so what the capt. is always right.Joe and I are probably in the same age group,we are starting to really ride with the breeze,forget the small stuff.SM's,And Garry's comments about spending a little to gain alot is sage advice.
Steamroller get your feet wet,other harpers with moxy say when in doubt lay out,or at least wait for that pocket to open when you can shine.The Royal Kingley's advice really hits home,especially turning out enjoying and tolerating the live music venue.
My meager and somewhat jaded comments on jams are- They are great for the blues.Sometimes staying home and practicing is better.Earlier jam times make sense.Nothing better or worse than guitar slingers,when I play with some that get it,wow.I will be singing more this year,gonna help big time.Like my fav guitar player says jams are a crap shoot,unless you play with the house band cha-ching.I even have fond memories of the train wrecks,gives me something to bellyache about.
Last Edited by on Dec 27, 2012 8:28 PM
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Kingley
2065 posts
Dec 27, 2012
11:09 PM
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"Forget the worst experiences and chalk them up to paying your dues."
Some good advice there Joe.
Last Edited by on Dec 27, 2012 11:09 PM
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bluzharper
60 posts
Dec 27, 2012
11:39 PM
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"Forget the worst experiences and chalk them up to paying your dues."
Man, Amen to That......
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Frank
1715 posts
Dec 28, 2012
5:18 AM
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"Forget the worst experiences and chalk them up to paying your dues."
To add to Joe’s quote…
"Forget the worst jam experiences – they’re like chalk on a blackboard, easily wiped away and replaced with something new…”hopefully a better experience”
There was a great blues jam ( way to fukkin loud, of course ) that had a huge cooking grill filled with chicken wings sizzling and staring you in the face as soon as you walked in the door – the aroma and the visual was a guarantee you were going to buy some before you left the joint…
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The Iceman
604 posts
Dec 28, 2012
5:20 AM
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As was mentioned and something I worked towards at the early jams, get to know the "house band" and eventually play good enough to sit in with them as they open the evening up with their first set. (I ended up as their keyboard player when theirs left the band).
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The Iceman
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jawbone
495 posts
Dec 28, 2012
6:17 AM
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Don't sweat the petty stuff,
but always pet the sweaty stuff!!!
;-)
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If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
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naptown jack
15 posts
Dec 28, 2012
7:40 AM
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Walterharp's entry reminded me of another jam experience. In '71 I was traveling through Italy, In Florence I went into a club that catered to english speaking tourists. The band was mostly American: bass, guitar/banjo, piano,a guy who could play any kind of horn, and an Italian drummer. The first set was piano ,banjo ragtimey pizza parlorly stuff, and the rest of the night they plugged in and got down a little bit.During the break I introduced myself and corrected them on some lyrics in some obscure jug band tune they played. We had a dring and became acquainted and they invitd me up during the second set. The bassman was a C&W guy from North Carolina. We hit it off great. Played Orange Blossom Special, brought the house down. I did some blues, hornman and I played some jump stuff. It was great! I had only planned to stay in Florenc long enough to see the sights. Ended up stayin' for 5 weeks 'til end of their gig. We did the same thing every night. There was a new crowd nearly every night. The owner put me on the payrool and the bass player let me sleep on acouch. Each night they called me up like I just blew into town. It was some of the most fun I've ever had playin'.
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Rick Davis
1071 posts
Dec 28, 2012
7:54 AM
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Blue Jams are what you make them, and I work hard to make my jam fun for everybody. Advice: Leave your ego at the door, and don't let the blowhards intimidate you. If the jam masta is rude or unfair then don't go back. Bring your own gear: I've had guitar players come in with no amp, no cord, no picks, and no strap! Be nice to the jam host and you will be likely to have a good experience. Buy drinks and tip your server. Give encouragement to the newbies. Hey, it's a jam and it's only for fun, so lighten up!
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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Frank
1724 posts
Dec 28, 2012
9:13 AM
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"Blue Jams are what you make them" and a good set of ear plugs can make some of those jams much more bearable :) Toilet paper or napkins work okay in a pinch...
Last Edited by on Dec 28, 2012 9:15 AM
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Gnarly
440 posts
Dec 28, 2012
9:47 AM
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@ Frank I don't leave the house without earplugs!
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Gnarly
441 posts
Dec 28, 2012
9:47 AM
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I never go to jams tho--I hate giving it away for free, and especially when I have to stand in line to do so!
Last Edited by on Dec 28, 2012 9:48 AM
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Frank
1725 posts
Dec 28, 2012
9:46 AM
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Gnarly, my ears hurt just thinking of sitting through blues jams :(
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zellecaster
20 posts
Dec 28, 2012
1:10 PM
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I'm a non drinker + health health conscious guy, I order club soda mixed with cranberry juice or Diet Coke and tip like a roller. I have run jams and have worked in bars and restaurants. I agree, you gotta support the venue and the event.
I was running a jam in Chapel Hill NC almost 20 years ago, had these two guys that wanted to be on stage together and would turn everything up and take long solos, literally driving people out. I finally cut them off one night after 2 songs. Later I found myself trapped in the men's room of the bar by these same guys, one of which was very large. I'm not a fighter so I had to do some serious talking to calm this big mofo down and get out.
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LittleBubba
265 posts
Dec 28, 2012
2:27 PM
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One of my pet peeves at jams is when you run into acquaintances who are good musicians, but they're playing at a jam with novices and so your buddies come to your table and spend all night bitching about "the amateurs and wankers". It is what it is.. if you're too good for the venue.. quit going to it, and leave me alone to enjoy what I can.
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The Iceman
610 posts
Dec 28, 2012
3:18 PM
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Jams have done more to further my networking, build performance confidence, get gigs, blow off steam, etc than any other resource. (Of course, these were the days before internet).
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The Iceman
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garry
313 posts
Dec 28, 2012
8:11 PM
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my band started when the guys in it, after playing together many times at the local jam, decided to start gigging. i met them when my old band played that jam. turned out i had known the lead guitarist years before when we both played at a different jam. i liked his band, he liked mine. both of us marvelled at how far we'd come since then. weeks later my band fell apart, and i was asked to join his. the rest is history.
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GamblersHand
410 posts
Dec 29, 2012
8:16 AM
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Not too many scars, though I do remember my first shot at playing the pro jam at the Weavers after first arriving in London in the late 90s - and the guitarist beside me was totally out of tune. I unsuccessfully tried to get him to back off then Earl Green stopped the song and ushered us all off stage never to return (that week)... so ended up having a debut of around a minute and a half...
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rvgypsy
5 posts
Dec 30, 2012
8:09 AM
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We are fulltime RV's and I've been playing harp now for 3 years. I know I'm still a newbie, but I practice a lot and have had some good jam opportunities down in the keys with some great players and good mentors.
When I first started I had really bad harp etiquette, but didn't know any better. I played in the audience during a solo acoustic session with Moose the bass player from the Stevie Ray Vaughn band. He invited me up and I took over his microphone and played loud when he was singing. I now know just how bad that was. Over time he taught me about band etiquette. Now, for me, it’s all about the etiquette and opportunity to play.
Since we are always on the move, I look for blues jams in cities were in. Other than the lower keys and Phoenix, which we are in for a few months, I am always the unknown player. For the most part I have been very fortunate to have found some really good jams, good venues, great musicians and great and patient hosts. We always have some drinks and food at the venues. I always make sure to thank all the band members and the sound person for the opportunity to play. I ask them if they have any suggestions. So far, I have always been invited back.
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HarveyHarp
441 posts
Dec 30, 2012
9:24 AM
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I play in a band with mostly women, and we run a Thursday night jam at Mojitos on Frenchman St here in New Orleans. We always have numerous harmonica players there, both local and visitors. It is always a great jam, and I have good equipment there, and I feed in all the Harmonica Players, and many time we have 3 or 4 harp players on stage at once taking turns, and sometimes playing together. We just all feed off of each other, ant its always fun. The band likes it too. We have a lot of Foreign travelers, including Harp Players. We have actually gotten a lot of good gigs by doing this jam, an sometimes, people want to buy my customized HarveyHarps, so I will sell them one. I just make me another one.
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HarveyHarp
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DBBlues
1 post
Dec 30, 2012
10:57 AM
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New here ...
I moved from a place with no blues jams to a place that has several within driving distance. This thread is inspiring me to try again, as I had given up. I tried one quite a distance away, because the time and day worked well for me. I was given such a cold shoulder before it even started (no place to put my stuff, dirty looks, etc.) that I left.
I then tried a set of interconnected jams (two venues, but mostly the same people) closer to home. I felt welcomed at first, but the couple of established harp players just didn't really let me in. There was a moment when one of them and I traded licks, and we both had a good time, but by the next time I appeared, his ego was back on, and he was oddly critical and cold. I often waited to play until late, and after a while, it just wasn't worth it.
There are others in different geographical directions, so maybe it is time to try again!
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Rick Davis
1083 posts
Dec 30, 2012
11:26 AM
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DBBlues, wow, those are some crappy jams. Have you tried the Sunday jam at the Torch Club? I hung there frequently when I lived in Davis. It was run by a different guy back then -- Jimmy Pailer. I think Dave Kroall runs it now. It was good back in 2006.
There were lots of jams around Sacto; they have a great blues society there. I hope you find a better jam.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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Joe_L
2279 posts
Dec 30, 2012
11:36 AM
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I've dropped into blues jams in Chicago, Washington, Denver/Boulder and all over Northern California.
I've met some really cool people at jams. I don't usually run into jerks. Most people have been really nice. I have run into problems, but when that has occurred, it usually comes from a person who thinks their jams tunes are a paid gig and they monopolize the stage. I haven't run into that problem in quite a while.
I can't remember having a problem with another harp player. If I have, its been a really long time and I don't remember it.
If it isn't fun, I don't go.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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DBBlues
3 posts
Dec 30, 2012
7:02 PM
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Rick --
It wasn't that one. I haven't made it to that jam, but someone else recommended it, so I'll give it a try.
Thanks!
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Joe_L
2280 posts
Dec 30, 2012
9:02 PM
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I thought Johnny Guitar Knox was running the jam at the Torch Club. I haven't seen Dave Kroll in a year or two. I need to make a run up there.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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