Mo' blues

Well I don't have pics of all the bands at the Canberra Blues Society jam session, a few because I had to leave early and another because I was playing in it.  It's fun to get out an e-Bass (my preference is a run-of-the-mill Fender MiM JB) but I never play it other than for the Blues jams, so it's a bit of a new experience, but it is light to play.  And fast... I can get carried away!  Otherwise, Key Grip was the host band for the session and they were great to hear, well informed on blues and related styles and capable players all round.  The jammers were consistently capable too which bodes well for the blues in town and perhaps is a function of the blues training offered, esp to next gen.  Still, the audience numbers were down, perhaps given Hendrix the previous night.  But a nice outing and friendly people and great stage gear to indulge in.  Much enjoyed.

Key Grip are Leo Joseph (piano), Angela Lount (vocals), Lauren Thurlow (tenor), Alec Coulson (bass) and Mitch Preston (drums).  Key Grip were the host band for the monthly Canberra Blues Society jam session at the Harmonie German Club.

Minor blues

I'd picked a bass to play for the monthly Blues Club jam but when I arrived there were no spots for basses left on the board.  So be it.  Bass is a common instrument in the Blues Society, but still I was disappointed.  I caught the host band and a few jam bands and chatted to a few regulars but then left early.  But it was a big day; the room was full.  The host band was loud and alive with a great front line of mobile female singer and more mobile lead guitar, hopping on the drums riser and the like.  It was good fun with committed blues rock and plenty up dancing.  Nice to see a few Gibsons too, a Les Paul and the SG that someone told me is really a heavy instrument.  I'd built my first bass and it was modelled on similar Gibson bass on display in Allans and was fretless given the difficulty of inserting frets.  Then two capable and, to my ears, more down-South and earthy blues jam groups with the CBS seniors.  All nice, but I missed my performance outing, entertaining as it is with the lit stage and PA line array and big bass amp on hand with no need to lug.  Maybe next time...

The Wildfires hosted the Canberra Blues Society monthly Pro Jam a the Harmonie German Club.  The Wildfires comprise Weasey Wade (vocals), CC Hall and Robert Campton (guitars), Niall Howe (keys), Craig Marshalsey (bass) and his son Finlay Marshalsey (drums).

Our take on the Blues

I try to the get to monthly Canberra Blues Society jams at Harmonie German Club.  I seldom manage it but I did this last weekend and had a great time.  Its a good room, interesting German beer on tap, big tables to share with people you’ve not met before, a chance to play a few tunes with some really nice audio gear and an opportunity to use one of my e-basses.  My latest purchase is an ‘85 Fender Japan P-Bass to replace the ‘72 Fender Precision, fretted, sunburst, rosewood that I sadly sold long ago.  The host band started up the event, this month a youth blues group with considerable authenticity.  Gavel & Grace comprise 3 siblings and an invite: Sarah, Toby and Eli Foster(s) on key/vocals, drums and bass and Liam James on a truly blistering guitar.  The Fosters range from 19 to 14 yo and Lina is just 22, although an authentic senior in this outfit.  They are a product of the Candelo Blues Club Youth in Blues program.  Worthy and experienced at a ridiculous age.  Ones to watch.  Then a string of the local players in various formations, gathered through a blackboard list.  Great fun, some dancing, a sound man and that great bass amp power, plenty of tables with friendly, informed blues-styled peoples.  It’s a great, understated scene, considerable fun and all ages.  But one additional promo particularly surprised me: The Wooten Brothers feat. star bassist Victor are booked to play in this very room on 4 Feb 2026.  Wow!

Gavel & Grace were the host band for this month’s Canberra Blues Society jam session at the Harmonie German Club.  G&G comprise Sarah Foster (vocals, keys), Toby Foster (drums), Eli Foster (bass) and Liam James (guitar).

Being the blues

The Canberra Blues Society jam session is a blast from the past in several ways, not least that I return to an e-bass.  Fretted or fretless was the decision this time.  I was conservative and stuck with my fretted JB.  Someone asked why not double, but it's so enjoyable to race over the neat neck with soft strings and it's a more apt sound anyway to my ears.  Maybe Peter Barta was in two minds as his instrument was an Ibanez with a mixed fretted 4-string/fretless 3 string neck (SRAS-7 Ahula).  It's weird, but proof that Ibanez is adventurous.  I got a chance to play with Gary France for a first time, if only for a standard 3-song jam, and our group was all round a great pleasure: John van Beuren, Ross Buchanan, Gary, Steve Hartnett and singers Dan Litts and Lily (not sure of these names).  But of course it's the one group I don't have a photo of.  The host band this month was Blues Accelerators: a guitar blues band with horn section, here baritone and tenor saxes, but normally also with a alto.  They were playing tight and tonal as I arrived and the bari in Midnight hour just confirmed how nice the horns were in a blues context.  There were 4 or 5 other jamming groups and some younger performers and a few dancers.  And it's a relaxed event with excellent sound and tables and chairs and German beers so a nice, dark, sun-free way to spend a Sunday arvo.  I had a great time.  And for those who don't know of it, that's a genuine piece of the Berlin Wall outside club.

The Canberra Blues Society jam session is held monthly at Harmonie German Club.

Returns, day 2

Day 2 of my Blues weekend was a very different experience.  This was the monthly Canberra Blues Society Pro Jam session.  I've attended these numerous times in the past and just recently hankered for a return.  It's fun and friendly and a hive for some old friends and it has its challenges but it's not too difficult outing for a jazzer.   The feels were comfy enough but the keys were somewhat unpracticed: guitar keys (E,A,D) instead of horn keys (F,Bb,Eb,Ab).  Those open strings on the tonics rather than the 3rd took some care, and someone showing me bass tabs in place of written music (for a Lady Ga-Ga tune, no less) flummoxed me:  I understand the system but have never used it.  I played my Mexican Fender Jazz bass and the sound was loud and proud through the gear on stage so I enjoyed that immensely.  The session runs with music from 1pm with a host band, this day with another band, then a few short jam sessions of 3 tunes each, essentially led by a singer or other leader.  In my case, all 12-bars but with different feels and nicely led.  I enjoyed it immensely.  Pics are of the two first-up bands: the host band JD Band led by DJ Gosper and the host band for the next jam session, the Blues Accelerators.  And cheers to the mates I met from Quartic Sol: Thomas, Jacinta and Sam.

The Canberra Blues Society Pro Blues jam is held monthly at the Harmonie German Club.  Host bands were JD Band and Blues Accelerators.

Down and dirty

You can feel like a star at the Canberra Blues Society jams. There's a decent hall with audience; a backline (the amps that are provided) with big names and impressive specs; a fog machine in the corner and lights and introductions and a big PA. I'd enjoyed this amp before, but this time I couldn't get it up to speed and was struggling to hear myself. Maybe it was my last minute choice of a fretless I have at home, but I don't think so. Its plain old EMG pups should be OK. We opened with Red House in B (B? Is a guitar tuned down?). So I was fighting with a few things but it was still fun. Evil ways in Amin was more straightforward and more room for a groove. I think that's all we managed, this being the last band for the afternoon and the time being tight. And not that I knew anyone much before going on stage. The bands were decent and a few impressive players passed through the stage during the afternoon. And there were people dancing (this occasionally happens for my jazz gigs and never for the classical gigs, of course). And there's beer on tap and you can choose German, this being the Harmonie German Club. Even if I'm off the grog for the week. Ah, it's a strange world but fun. And loud.

The Canberra Blues Society ran another of its monthly Sunday blues jams.

Roots

My visits to the Blues Society jam session are rare these days but they are fun. Plenty of grey hair and historical rockers; memories of Hendrix and BB and Dr John; good gear and decent PA and adored guitars. Stevie Ray is a hero. It's somewhat like the Moon landing, I guess, like Apollo 11, this very day 50 years back. It's aged, but aged well because there's some truth in it. One band played Beatles While my guitar gently weeps then Billy Thorpe Most people I know think that I'm crazy then Hendrix Red House. I must admit I loved that (and sang along with Thorpie), but it's not quite the real thing. The real thing was 12 bars, in C or B (!) and shuffles and sleezy, funky swampy blues. They were the tunes my collection played and it was genuinely fun. Of course, the one band I played in doesn't have a pic, but that's how it is. The others do. There were several other bands, not least the host band, The Drivers (once the Backbeat Drivers), with Mike and Steve and Dean and Doc playing a storm. Some great vocals and thrilling guitar. There are some nice musos through the jams, too. People who've been through a string of bands and still playing this after 30/40 years. I got to play with a mate, Leo Joseph, this time on guitar, and Dan, Dan, Josh and Chris. Known only as names on a board. They do it well and with integrity. And it's a nice, relaxed venue, Harmonie German club, and there are a few dancers (mostly girls, of various ages). Get along. $5 entry and a club bar in the room. And a string of mates, getting down and dirty. Not the intellectualism of jazz or the beauty of classical but down to earth and real and goes well with a beer. The Canberra Jazz Society meets the last Sunday of each month (not Jan?) for a jam session at the Harmonie German Club.

The Canberra Blues Society holds a jam session last Sunday of each month (not January) at the Harmonie German Club. The Drivers were Steve Hartnett (vocals, guitar, harp), Michael Hardy (guitar), Dean Edgecombe (bass) and Doc Rennie (drums).

Canberra is south for Sydney

Sunday, first blues jam of the year I don't get to too many, but I enjoy the simple immediacy and the great gear these guys inevitably provide. My bass sounds so nice. My fave was Mesa-Boogie with 6x12 (?) Today it was a quad box with a digital head. Strong and fat; great gear. The host band was excellent, too. The Pat Powell band, with Pat Powell singing, our local stalwart Mitch Preston and Sydneysiders Rowan Lane and Illya Szwec. Some great vocals, heavily thumbed bass (Rowan plays reggae, too) and some very slick guitar from Illya. I was seriously impressed by some wah guitar later, but generally this was very sweet., Otherwise, a string of blues jam bands, not least the one I played in. Perhaps the feature was the reformation for the day of Whistler's Father (now Grandfather) playing Hendrix. How can any blues fan not swoon? Lots of fun if perhaps too loud for my tender ears. Here are pics of all the bands other than mine. I was too busy for obvious reasons.

The Canberra Blues Society hosts a jam on the 3rd Sunday of each month, Harmonie German Club, 2-5.30pm. Today's host band was Pat Powell (vocals) with Illya Szwec (guitar), Rowan Lane (bass) and Mitch Preston (drums).

Blusicians

Blusicians was the name used by one of the bands at the Canberra Blues Society jam session on Sunday, but I guess they are all that. This is blues, endless variations on a few chords and their pentatonics and some solid rhythms, but how nice it can be! Simple but earthy. I used to attend regularly, but ages back. Now it's just occasional, but it's great to sit in, mostly knowing the formulae, trusting the others around are good for the tweeks of the individual tunes. And there's some seriously good gear there, too. I drool over Bucky's bass amp that feels a million dollars (Mesa-Boogie) with wireless input (new to me) and the JBL PA rig and the rest. This time the host band included a few mates, Dean and James. I caught up with Ross and got a spot with some of the heavies for a very decent few tunes. Some other bands and musos I didn't l know. A few performers and mates I did: Leo, Nicki, Bucky, John VB, Mitch, Ross. And this time, Marisa Quigley turned up as a highly regarded visitor, playing with Ali Penny, Mitch and James. Good and a very different presence from the laconic blokes with Fenders. The women might dance. And it's at the Harmonie German Club, so decent beers at reasonable prices and schnitties. I always enjoy Mitch's terse and correct drums (he's a pleasure to play with: understated and just plain correct) and James' tenor was a huge pleasure, especially playing off Marisa's vocals. I missed most of Leo's set, but Ali and Ross appeared as very different piano propositions: Ali all telling the story; Ross all boned up and busy. The blues scene is somewhat aging: much of it is the product of an era of youth, of the British blues explosion (I don't usually talk of recoveries from operations at other venues). So be it. This is growing old gracefully if mildly disgraceful and having great fun with good mates in the process.

Thye Canberra Blues Society jam session was at the Harmonie German Club. Players included James Hoogstadt (tenor, harp), Marisa Quigley (guitar, vocals), Mitch Preston (drums), Eric Pozza (bass) and a string of others.