MJJ Sep26, 2011 Sunday: Free Drinks at Bar Prices, and other tall tales and true Ha!

What a spiffin' weekend of casual sax and ballad mangling that turned out to be Sunday saw a goodly line up at the Leinster Sheltered Workshop and Lounge Bar, with Jack the Lad, Stefan the younger (drums) Col the Chaos (chaos, saxophone), Brian the Twang (guitar) all kept more or less in order by Frank the Indefatigable (bass). Not so much walking bass as slouching along in a casual manner . . . Later arrivals included Michael (drums) Max (?) trumpet, Jenny sang, Glen snuck in a quick set on drums, Col and Jack sounded magnificent on vocals and there has just been an outbreak of porkies in the piano department. Kevin took over on guitar, Peter (Sax) rounded out the evening with a finely swung Without a Song, and we all rolled out into that dark night suitably refreshed for another week at the salt mines. The standard of music making seemed a bit high this week. Never mind, we'll fix that later. Whatever happened to Al Papa Jazz, the 3,473rd worst drummer in the known universe? With a solid reputation for pushing the boundaries of both taste and drumming ability, generally in the wrong direction, Al has recently been experimenting with a variety of beats. He has tried 3/4, 4/4, 2/4, and 12/8 , often all within the confines of a single tune and occasionally without the aid of sticks. This week he tried 0/4 and couldn't put a foot wrong . . . Mahvellous! TW From Noel: Call me oldfashioned, but I consider this to be possibly the most meaningful presentation of the blues I have ever seen or heard. Everybody playing or singing their own story, and all in the ensemble groove. Listen to Billie Holiday (right) at http://www.jazzonthetube. com/page/8.html
(Wikimedia Creative Commons licensed)

To the editor From Jaz I think Zoot needs to get over him (or her) self and relax. Also I think TW the jazzidiot is a great writer. But that's just me. jaz From Col As for Zoot I also think he misses the mark a little. Our Jam has always welcomed newcomers at whatever standard they may be. When I think back over the years that I have been involved with it there have been a number who have gone on to bigger and better things. Some have also decided that they needed to take lessons and that is their decision alone. When you consider that at least one former professional musician regularly attends then we must be doing some things right. For those who wanted a more rigorous workout there has been the Guilford Lane Gallery and I personally have made recommendations for some of those to attend there (and continue with us if they wished). CG From Marg Fabulous day yesterday (Sunday), highlight being Ben initiating a rousing happy birthday for his sister followed by him taking her onto the dance floor for Blue Moon, enchanting, sweet, and a fine example of the spirit of the jam . . .

from the editor Zoots suggestions last week provoked a bit of comment. Overall it seems that the jammers want an open, less formal and welcoming to all format to enjoy their playing. Even at times perhaps preferring disorganisation to over-organisation if that is the price to pay for the democratic approach at jams. One of Zoots suggestions to learn a repertoire of numbers was interesting, at least mathematically. For example, maybe 99% of the pieces we play are in 4/4 time, though admittedly this may depend on the vagaries of the rhythm section. (see above for 0/4 time). Of these pieces a large number of them are in the key of F major. Their form is generally AABA and when they are not, they are generally AB. If you are a real bopper you will swap C7 for Gb7 and vice versa and so on. As a result once you multiply 99% by a large number by generally by quite alot by often swapping, well, you get a lot of tunes that are pretty similar. Feedback or comments can be emailed to melbournejazzjammers@gmail.com Rob McCue 26 Sep 2011

27
All that stuff about musicians dropping off the perch at 27. I can't help feeling that it is not the music that kills them, but the management. Amy Winehouse is now a very profitable industry judging by the record sales. She was a real person before she became a pop icon with a habit. Thankfully, most jazz musicians do an absolutely marvellous job in avoiding the pitfalls of making too much money.TW

Grand Final
Watch the Grand Final at the Leinster Arms.

Free drinks
from the bounce until the first goal is scored drinks are free. Yes, thats right free. Grand Final at the Leinster is something really special.

The Leinster Arms Hotel

66 Gold Street, Collingwood For dinner bookings phone 9417 5720

www.leinsterarms.com.au

Friday Night at the Leinster

Jam Sessions at the Leinster Arms Hotel Friday 7:00pm till late Sunday from 4pm

Friday night was another quiet one (crowd wise) but 5 of us managed to enjoy ourselves musically. Ted, Frank, Jack and newcomer Arli made the most of it exploring some old standards and progressive jazz pieces.

Jammers Newsletter
The Newsletter informs interested people of Jazz Jammers events, CD launches and jam sessions. It reviews past sessions, promotes events being put on by Jammers and encourages people to get involved in live performance. It also provides an informative and friendly network for musicians and followers of jazz.

The Jam Sessions

The jams feature a blend of accomplished musicians and those beginning their jamming careers. A great opportunity to drop in, meet other musicians, blow your heart out on your favourite tune or kick back and listen in. The music may be good, bad or bebop, swing, blues, latin or lousy anything can happen and often does! All are welcome. Bring charts, instruments, voices.

Have an enews item? Send by Monday night to

melbournejazzjammers@gmail.com

Jammers website
http://melbournejazzjammers.com/