[Harp-L] RE: Harp-L Digest, Vol 36, Issue 43



Hi Randy,

A number of things were wrong with the Jam.  
1. The foremost was that the attendance was very poor.  It started at 9:30
and that was while the ballroom show was going on.  I would be surprised if
10 people attended.
2.  Lucky if there were six players in the room.   Of the six, the majority
were heavy hitters on jazz which could be intimidating. 
3. Getting the players up to play was also an issue right from the beginning
4.  The sound system had no attendee on the first night and it about killed
you
5.  The second night, we were only allotted 45 minutes. It was also very
poorly attended. At the morning management meeting, I expressed concerns
about the lack of participation.  However, we all agree that it will
continue.  
6.  The location was quite poor and it was not easy to find.  It should have
been where people could not miss it. A lot needs to be done to bring it into
focus.  


>From the beginning, players were encouraged and invited to participate, but
it was tough to get them up.  The opening announcement and subsequent
announcements were "if you want a chorus our more, jump in and play." This
included the diatonic guys.  Since there were so few people there, there was
no limitation on the choruses the first night.  The second night with only
45 minutes, a limit of one chorus one was put up.  Jelly and PT both
attended and stayed for most of both sessions, although they not
participate.  Their take on all of this would be interesting.

For the diatonic players that were there for the entire session," I am
confident that they would say that they were quite welcome although we did
not play blues.   Yes, some had to wait to play because there were previous
commitments, but certainly no bias as I am a great supporter of all
harmonicas and other instruments.  Jimmy brought in a college girl who
specialized in jazz and did a vocal with us.

Finally, Joe's remark about being lame is curious.  It may be because of the
setting and the lack of participation.  The backup band was very good
though.

Bottom line, the jam requires a lot of work and this year was quite
disappointing.  It needs more participation and a better venue at the right
time.  Next year, I will not run the session and welcome volunteers.  The
goal will be to position it so it will meet everyone's expectations, be
inclusive of all players and have good attendance.  My apologies for it not
being what it should have been.  After all, to have players like Chris and
George sit in is a treat.  

Thanks for asking,

Tom

======================
Message: 13
Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2006 00:58:38 -0400
From: Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] SPAH 2006
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <318B7110-F58D-455A-ACA7-F92F5D14A246@xxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed


On Aug 21, 2006, at 1:09 PM, Chris Michalek wrote:
> I woke up in time for the jazz jam. George Brooks and I tried to  
> participate but were met with fairly heavy and negative resistance,  
> I truly felt like I was in a strange town where I had to convince  
> the jam leader that I could play jazz on the harmonica.  We were  
> told to wait until the break.

Strange, I dropped out specifically so you COULD have room to play.  
While there were some players who don't know when to put a lid on it,  
I am not one of them.

> During the break I asked again to play and then was told the band  
> would do a few numbers before they brought up the blues guys.

I was unaware of that. This saddens me.

I skipped the jazz jam as it was quite lame and uninviting the night  
before.

I agree, and I myself didn't play.

> Stu Hunter was damn impressive as well.

Actually Stan Harper (p.s. last name is a stage name)

> Tom Albanese (damn!!!!)

Tom was there? Somehow I missed him. :(

smokey-joe
>

-----Original Message-----
From: randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 10:51 PM
To: Tom Stryker
Subject: jazz club review
 
hi tom
 
i read this a few times.
 
any idea why?
 
 
 
Begin forwarded message:

 
"I skipped the jazz jam as it was quite lame and uninviting the night  
before.
 
I agree, and I myself didn't play."



 





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