This is a true story - that should never happen at a jam. Just as a side note, never touch a players subwoofer 😉. You may have to deal with egos, good etiquette, expectations and the musical elements of a jam session. 🎺🎹 🥢 🎸. In addition to that, every club wants bums in seats - and a jam is a marketing initiative to get people through the door and put bums in seats. Is a band leader solely resonsible for the "show" , or is the musician (subcontractor) also responsible for the club brand and be mindful of its patrons? Solid question. Let me know your thoughts below. - Paul
Very much worth checking out is Lennie Tristano and his student the great Sal Mosca and my favorite Billy Lester who was a student of Sals. Talk about an incredible improviser.
I've commented on this at length on the Fb threads following your first chat about this so I won't repeat but you hit the nail on the head that the host has the responsibility to make it clear what is going on. As a bit of a Jam Slut I've joined and run many but the attitudes of others is as diverse as the music. One of the great things is that occasionally you get a chance to play with players in a league above your normal comfort zone. But I've also had some awful treatment by a few who frankly can really put you off. Fortunately most are not like that. So people should not be put off as if you can get through the bad ones it is great fun and a quick way to learn one of the most important things in this strange music that we play - playing and communicating with others. That's something that all the UA-cam videos, private lessons and and endless hours of bedroom practice can't give you. In a way your story coming from a pro helps us in a way that I've not seen presented on social media. Cheers Paul.
I'd love to have you on as a guest in a livestream where we take a deep dive into this. It's struck a chord with many, and seems to be a hit topic musicians want to talk about
Thx for sharing. Absolutely appalling. Unfortunately, stories like this make it even more difficult for a newbie like me (at 64 yrs old yet!) to show up at a jam. Your explanation also makes sense as I found when searching for jam sessions in Chicago, they all seemed to be really just marketing tools to get people in the door, as I found the musicians were the same every week. Maybe there are open jams, but yet to find. Thx for sharing. What a dick! Btw, how did he respond to your suggestion (which was awesome)?
There are really great jams out there. This was the exception. I've never run into this before in 40 years of my career. Usually, it's way more inclusive and lead with the spirit of jamming in mind. And if you have the time to pre-qualify the jam ahead of time , just hang a couple of times before putting your name on the list (there should be a list). Then ask to play 1 tune, take 1 solo, then take a seat and listen the rest of the night. Then rinse and repeat till they get familiar with you. Most often, musicians are welcoming and supportive and don't have this jaded attitude. I highly encourage you to find a jam and participate. They are typically really fun and you make friends this way. It's a good thing to get this experience under your belt.
Great story ! Region where i live is renowned for abrasive behavior jazz musicians. And just accepted as part of the culture. They initiate ALL new faces who show up on "their" scene to test their psychological mettle. This happened to me many years ago, so i dished it right back at them ! Then, they accepted me into the fold, and they turned out becoming the warmest, caring, and generous friends I've ever had. Now, we even laugh about everyone's "first meeting" ! I love them to death, abrasiveness and all.
I'm sure the piano guy was in a bad mood from the start which had nothing to do with you or your question.....too bad his bad mood landed on you. Anyway the audience did not get to listen to your beautiful touch
That would be a shame. The spirit of a jam is to share musical ideas, elevate others and embrace the moment as an opportunity to co-create. It would be a sad thing if what you suggest played out in his mind. It's limited thinking.
He probably already knows you are a great player and is envious, and shot you down to make himself feel worthy. I always give my piano up if some other piano player walks in, just as a matter of respect and part of being an ambassador of the art form of jazz. There's nothing to learn from someone like that, other than to avoid them.
I absolutely love how your core values include being "an ambassador of the art form". That is the gold to any jazz musician reading this. That is a core value we could aim to instill in all emerging artists. As ambassadors, we have a duty and responsibility to share what we know and pass it on. (hence this channel)
This is a true story - that should never happen at a jam. Just as a side note, never touch a players subwoofer 😉. You may have to deal with egos, good etiquette, expectations and the musical elements of a jam session. 🎺🎹 🥢 🎸. In addition to that, every club wants bums in seats - and a jam is a marketing initiative to get people through the door and put bums in seats. Is a band leader solely resonsible for the "show" , or is the musician (subcontractor) also responsible for the club brand and be mindful of its patrons? Solid question. Let me know your thoughts below. - Paul
Very much worth checking out is Lennie Tristano and his student the great Sal Mosca and my favorite Billy Lester who was a student of Sals. Talk about an incredible improviser.
Thanks for adding these to the conversation 🙂
That's crazy! If I ever saw you at one of my gigs, I would have to come over and beg you to play!
Wow! Over 10k subs! Congratulations my friend ❤
I know right? Couldn't do it without people like you! Thanks again 😊
@@Jazzmentl Thank you 😊
Shine it on-their loss🙂
I've commented on this at length on the Fb threads following your first chat about this so I won't repeat but you hit the nail on the head that the host has the responsibility to make it clear what is going on. As a bit of a Jam Slut I've joined and run many but the attitudes of others is as diverse as the music. One of the great things is that occasionally you get a chance to play with players in a league above your normal comfort zone. But I've also had some awful treatment by a few who frankly can really put you off. Fortunately most are not like that. So people should not be put off as if you can get through the bad ones it is great fun and a quick way to learn one of the most important things in this strange music that we play - playing and communicating with others. That's something that all the UA-cam videos, private lessons and and endless hours of bedroom practice can't give you. In a way your story coming from a pro helps us in a way that I've not seen presented on social media. Cheers Paul.
I'd love to have you on as a guest in a livestream where we take a deep dive into this. It's struck a chord with many, and seems to be a hit topic musicians want to talk about
Thx for sharing. Absolutely appalling. Unfortunately, stories like this make it even more difficult for a newbie like me (at 64 yrs old yet!) to show up at a jam. Your explanation also makes sense as I found when searching for jam sessions in Chicago, they all seemed to be really just marketing tools to get people in the door, as I found the musicians were the same every week. Maybe there are open jams, but yet to find. Thx for sharing. What a dick! Btw, how did he respond to your suggestion (which was awesome)?
There are really great jams out there. This was the exception. I've never run into this before in 40 years of my career. Usually, it's way more inclusive and lead with the spirit of jamming in mind. And if you have the time to pre-qualify the jam ahead of time , just hang a couple of times before putting your name on the list (there should be a list). Then ask to play 1 tune, take 1 solo, then take a seat and listen the rest of the night. Then rinse and repeat till they get familiar with you. Most often, musicians are welcoming and supportive and don't have this jaded attitude. I highly encourage you to find a jam and participate. They are typically really fun and you make friends this way. It's a good thing to get this experience under your belt.
Know your standards and be able to make the changes first of all.
100% - solid advice.
Great story ! Region where i live is renowned for abrasive behavior jazz musicians. And just accepted as part of the culture. They initiate ALL new faces who show up on "their" scene to test their psychological mettle. This happened to me many years ago, so i dished it right back at them ! Then, they accepted me into the fold, and they turned out becoming the warmest, caring, and generous friends I've ever had. Now, we even laugh about everyone's "first meeting" ! I love them to death, abrasiveness and all.
I love to hear that. That is a great outcome.
I'm sure the piano guy was in a bad mood from the start which had nothing to do with you or your question.....too bad his bad mood landed on you. Anyway the audience did not get to listen to your beautiful touch
He was in a mood alright!
Well Paul, I’ve got one explanation: maybe he knew you and was afraid of your skill and didn’t let you play 🙂🤷🏻♂️
That would be a shame. The spirit of a jam is to share musical ideas, elevate others and embrace the moment as an opportunity to co-create. It would be a sad thing if what you suggest played out in his mind. It's limited thinking.
Rule# 1 NEVER SIT IN TO A JAM SESSION WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT BECAUSE YOU MAY PLAY THROUGH
THE SAX PLAYERS SOLO!
😆Sounds like you have a good story there Dennis.
He probably already knows you are a great player and is envious, and shot you down to make himself feel worthy. I always give my piano up if some other piano player walks in, just as a matter of respect and part of being an ambassador of the art form of jazz. There's nothing to learn from someone like that, other than to avoid them.
I absolutely love how your core values include being "an ambassador of the art form". That is the gold to any jazz musician reading this. That is a core value we could aim to instill in all emerging artists. As ambassadors, we have a duty and responsibility to share what we know and pass it on. (hence this channel)
Yeah only a jerk would get bent about sitting on a speaker cabinet.