Getting out

I've had a quiet few weeks but it was a lovely day and the jam was on a Smiths. It's a nice time, Sunday afternoon, for a beer and a relaxed chat. This time I got in a few good chats and a few tunes, not least a few ballads with a female singer (name unknown) including the Nearness of you. Also truly lovely. Anthony and Peter were on bass. I met Jay Lee and spoke to him on his Brazilian Choro and his drawings. I've watched a string of people drawing jazz players so it's good to see the craft in Canberra too. His pen pics appear often enough on FB. So, a wonderful way to wile away and warm afternoon post-smoke

Smiths Jazz jam is held weekly on Sunday afternoons, 1-3.30pm. Jay Lee (guitar, pins) portrayed.

Smitherines

The Smiths Sunday Afternoon jam session is a hoot. I don't get to enough sessions, but I got to one today and I was impressed (if not with my playing!). Plenty of musos; a willing although relaxed and easy-going audience; plenty of support for newbies or visitors. We hear of the jamming tradition as inherently competitive. Perhaps it still is in NYC but this felt much more cummunity-minded. Not that there's a lack of pride in a tunes well blowed. There is, and there were a several players who seriously impressed. But all were welcome. Interestingly, the best and the worst were applauded. Only natural, I think. A worthy session that's weekly and rocking. And accepting of charts.

The Smiths jazz jam session is held every Sunday 1-4.30pm. Sit-ins welcomed and free entry for all.

Nice to drop by

"I did but see her passing by and yet I love her till I die". So said PM Menzies about the then-young Queen. It's not exactly that, but I'm glad I passed by Smiths this afternoon when the jam session was on. Peter Barta was on bass and I got to sit in for a few tunes and it was great fun. My tunes were with a singer so Stella so in non-standard keys. Mostly dropped a minor third so the chords looked strangley unexpected on very common tunes. Strange but interesting how the progressions worked differently. Keys are techincally parallel but, in practice, different on each instrument given its layout and idiosyncrasies. Con Campbell was there, returned from Chicago. Sadly I missed playing with him. But the band was pretty cluey and it was a pleasant and effective few tunes. Peter took over for the last and he's playing a treat on his lithe 5-string Eminence. Decent fun on a warm afternoon with a few beers.

Smiths Alternative stages an open jazz jam each Sunday 1-30-4pm.

Hot jam

It was hot. Australia has been sweltering with some of the highest temperatures ever recorded. 48.9, 49.0; Canberra was just 41C that day and there was a cool merciful breeze outside at the Old Canberra Inn. John Mackey was there with Leisa, Ben, Mark, Peter, Hugh and more; interestingly also Con Campbell, who now teaches in Chicago but went through the Jazz School in its Manuka days. I have him on CJ only once before playing with Wayne Kelly at ArtSound. I got to sit in on three or four tunes, mostly with Hugh and Con. And interestingly, later to try out Peter's EUB, a wonderful Eminence very comfortably and effectively fitted with Corelli and a Realist copperhead. And throw in some good beers and good company, and it's a great night out. Recommended. The weekly jam session at Old Canberra Inn, each Wednesday night 6.30-9pm. Free entry.