One of the goals of the Milwaukee Jazz Vision was to develop and implement a tiered jam session scene. This is something Milwaukee has been sorely missing for quite sometime now. Many have popped up here and there, but none have “stuck”. We here at the MJV are attempting to fix that!
As long as there have been jazz musicians, there have been jam sessions. The jazz jam session is a forum in which players can get together and display their abilities to each other and the public. Certainly the jam session serves an important role in any jazz community. When I think back to my own development as a jazz musician, I can easily say that I learned just as much from attending the weekly jam session at The Jazz Estate than I did from any individual studies.
Some of the things garnered from attendance at jam sessions:
• Real world application of your individual practice!
• If you are not gigging yet, if offers an opportunity to play with other human beings in front of an actual audience.
• An opportunity to expand your knowledge of the jazz repertoire. (ie, observing what tunes are being called & played)
• An opportunity to hear players better than you play in a relaxed, informal setting.
• An opportunity to “hang” with other musicians! What better time to ask questions, discuss players/recordings, find out about other musician’s practice & performance techniques, find out about other gigs & performing opportunities.
• Networking!
Jam session hints/pointers/etiquette:
• If you are a newer jam session attendee make note of the tunes being played/called. Maybe even write down a list for yourself. Make note of keys, styles, tempos, forms, intros, endings, interludes etc… There are many good tune lists available online. Here are a few:
• Do not call something unless you really KNOW the tune – melody, form, and chord changes. If you don’t know a tune that is called, do not try and “fake” it; add it to your list, learn it, and call it next time. Remember the quote, “When in doubt? Lay out!”.
• Do not overstay your welcome. Remember Miles’ advice to John Coltrane when Trane told Miles he had trouble stopping his soloing… “Try taking the damn horn out of your mouth.”
Here is a great article by Bill Anschell on All About Jazz’s website.
Milwaukee Jazz Vision Jazz Jam Session Series:
Hope to see you out there!
