OTHER REGULAR JAMS -- Canaan Valley Music Jam Pages

The "OTHER REGULAR JAMS" page --- These Jams vary quite a lot: Email the organizer and get on his/her list ... Always RSVP and or contact the jam organizer to verify that it is still happening; this will save possible frustration -:) --- This web site is maintained by me - Michael Ludgate. I originally started this as a beginner fiddle player who was excited to share everything I learned about folk music with my friends. (more at MySpace.com take a look!) To keep myself and the rest of my musician friends organized I started a music email list and this web page. It has really evolved into more than that. It is a valuable networking resource for the musicians: both beginner and expert, amateur and professional. It really only works if you use the information and stay on the list. It also works better if you help: send me your gigs and other interesting music information and I'll get the word out to the rest of the list. For clarification: I maintain 3 email lists; one each for Customers of Ludgate Farms, another for mostly Folk Music [ Mikes-Music ] and a third for outdoor exercise (Cycle and XC-Ski)... if you want to be on any or all of these email lists just let me know at email Mike Hit reload or refresh every time you visit: this page changes often! [ SUBSCRIBE Mikes-Music ] The music email list generates about 1 email per day ... sometimes more ... sometimes less -:)

Check the FORUM! :-)
http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/

I am shifting a lot of the current jam info to the forum. This page here is private (won't show on the search engines) the FORUM is not. So keep that in mind in terms of privacy info and etc. There are advantages to both. If you are a jam host: log on to the forum and keep your jam thread up to date. Or email me and I will. You might want general info here and current (this week's) info on the forum. Email me if you want the info here also and what privacy levels you need. -Mike 9/20/2006

Jam Etiquette!! :-) Please remember, if you are excited about your style of traditional music, you have to be patient, polite and inclusive if you want other musicians to gain your enthusiasm and earn your respect! This goes for any genre: Old-time, Bluegrass, Irish, Québécois or whatever!! Specifically what I am referring to is the tendency I have seen occasionally at some jams to make jokes or snide remarks about other styles of traditional fiddling. A musician new to your jam could be really awesome at Irish and be clueless about old-time or bluegrass for example … so, if you want the talented but new to your genre musicians to enjoy the style that you love you have to be nice to them! Yeah, it’s that simple … kind of a golden rule of music jams – end of rant :-)

Jams -- Ithaca and surrounding ...

Syracuse

Syracuse Irish Sessions - weekly Sat or Sun

Trish's Candor Jam -- [ back to top ]

is every other Thursday ... Organized by Trish Engelhard: [Email Trish] for more details ... they have

regular Thursday jams [usually every other week] over Candor way with typically more songs (vocals) than our Canaan Road jams. Trish announces them on YFN listserve. Location varies...

[ Ithaca Journal News Article ]

The Candor jams are usually (but not always) hosted at Bob Berg's place: [of Thunderbird Atlatl] 90 Main Street in 'downtown' Candor! [ MapQuest ]

The next Candor Jam ...

"Hello Everyone!

Hope you've been having a wonderful summer, and enjoyed the moon this week, wow! And last night I got to see a meter streak across the sky right above the stage at Taughannock Park. Anyone else see that? The evening was early and the sky was still blue!

We jammers will be meeting this Thursday at Bob and Cheryll Berg's house, starting at 7:30. We'll be doing the usual, or unusual, mix of songs and tunes. Hope to see you there, so I can tell you about my West Virginia Square Dance Stomp experience. What a hoot that was! We thought the floor was going to cave in!

Cheers,

Trish "

Trish [Email Trish]

"If you've never been here, I just want to say that the Candor jam is more focused on Songs, than tunes, usually with choruses, but not necessarily. The idea being, that instrumentalists and vocalists get practice in working with each other. This is not to say we don't do fiddle tunes as well, we do, but usually more songs. The atmosphere is very friendly and the intention is to help each other learn, grow and share in the joy of musical expression. Some folks even just come to listen, and/or sing. " -Trish

The Candor jams are usually (but not always) hosted at Bob Berg's place: [of Thunderbird Atlatl] 90 Main Street in 'downtown' Candor! [ MapQuest ]

Jam Sessions at the Ellis Hollow Ceilidh Hall (aka Kathy Selby's house)

WHEN: First Sundays at 2 pm, alternating between English tunes, and Northern and Celtic tunes:

September - May See forum [click here] for exact times or email Kathy

WHERE: Kathy Selby's house, 14 Eagleshead Road, Ithaca (near Ellis Hollow, about 8 miles east of Ithaca Commons). Phone 607 539 7526. If you would like directions, please email me.

"ENGLISH" TUNES means any tunes that are associated with traditional English country dancing. That includes English country dancing, but also barn dancing, Morris, clog dancing,...

"NORTHERN AND CELTIC" TUNES means mostly New England, Quebecois, Scottish/Cape Breton and Irish tunes. About three-quarters of the tunes in the YFN book fall into this category.

SHEET MUSIC? You don't need to read sheet music to Bill Mutch at an English Jam

participate. Many English tunes are simple and short and easy to learn on the fly. The "Northern and Celtic" sessions include many tunes that are already part of the Ithaca repertoire. Bring a tape recorder and catch the ones you don't know already. If you like to have sheet music, you will find Peter Barnes' book of English country dance tunes useful for the English sessions. For the Northern and celtic sessions, the YFN tunebook, Harry Lawless' book of Irish tunes (packaged as part of the YFN supplement), and the New England Fiddlers' Repertoire would all be useful. [ Mike has all these music books for sale ]

TEA! An essential for playing Irish music in the afternoon. (The Irish drink even more tea than the English!) I will provide Barry's tea and biscuits (alright, cookies...), please bring American goodies too.

Hope to see you there!
Cheers, Kathy

Kathy Selby
(607) 539-7526
http://www.kathyselby.com/jams.htm

The New York State Old Tyme Fiddlers' Association .... [ back to top ]

"The New York State Old Tyme Fiddlers' Association is an organization for those that enjoy playing old tyme fiddle, listening to old tyme fiddle and helping to preserve old tyme fiddle playing in America.

We have many opportunities for the general public and our

members to play or participate in fiddle events. All summer long there are weekly weekend concerts in the Fiddlers' Pavilion at the North American Fiddlers Hall of Fame in Osceola, New York. (Along with a jam session.) Some are free and others have a small admission charge.

There are also three events during the year; The Fall House Party, The Winter Picnic, and The Spring Fling. In addition, each chapter has a monthly meeting followed by a jam session.

The general public is encouraged to attend all of our concerts and specials; and to become a member."

Kaaren Remley's Monthly Jam ...
The first Tuesday of the month [ back to top ]

Next Jam: (Aug 1st) 1st Tuesday from 7:30 until we're done- latecomers and early leavers welcome! At 213 South Albany Street - halfway down the block in between the Reconstruction home and Bangs Funeral home. Look for a bench and pole in the front yard.

Update: "For now, (until we can replace the bench that someone threw into the road!) ... we should say "pole in the center of a rock" spiral instead ...

Also, we're jamming on the front porch until it gets too cold to do so ..." Cross streets are Clinton St. and Green St.

Contact #: 279-5186 or 279-3644
New email: kaaren dot muse at gmail dot com

Music, because we love it! The people who come to the jam determine what music is done. So far there has been a huge variety and a lot of fun! Family friendly- children welcome. I have cats which is why I'm working on creating an outdoor jam space soon.

*** Jams will be during the first week of each month

From Kaaren Remley: [Email Kaaren] "All are welcome! 213 South Albany Street, around the corner from Bangs Funeral home 279-5186 or 279-3644. There is a bench and a pole in the front yard. Streets that cross S. Albany are Clinton and Green." These are announced on YFN also ...

Open Irish Sessions Ithaca ... [ back to top ]

Irish Sessions (Open Jams) .. with key players from locally famous Traonach ... this message from Harry
email Harry for confirmation.

Current Irish traditional session schedule

Every first Sunday, Kilpatricke's pub, Seneca at Tioga. 5 pm until about 8 or so.

Every Tuesday night, The Chapter House, Stewart Ave. 8 pm until whenever we stop

4th Friday Folk Music Jam ... [ back to top ]
Painted Post NY
Debra Chesman

4th Friday in April jam in Painted Post is cancelled this month. Sorry about that.

Go and see the very funny gospel musical

"Smoke on the Mountain"

April 21, 22 at 8 PM, April 23 at 3:00

April 28, 29 at 8 PM, April 30 at 3:00

at the Candor Congregational Church, Main St., Candor

Tickets $5 students , $8 adults

More info? Hope VanScoy at (607) 659-5213

I'll be playing washtub bass on the second weekend of the show.

Debra

After taking the summer off and some computer woes, I have the jam list back up, mostly. If you do not wish to be on this particular list of announcements about the monthly jam sessions at my house in Painted Post and sometimes other places, please just let me know. No hard feelings. If you know someone else who might like to come to a folk music jam at my house, please pass this on.

So this monthly jam session is on the 4th Friday of the month, with a start time of 7:30. It's informal, accoustic and any music related to folk is quite welcome. I love traditional American and British, Irish, Scottish music. I have been known to play Appalachian, Oldtime and Bluegrass, contemporary folk and if others are doing it - folk rock fromt he 1960's and '70's. The blues are welcome too, if you mean the music. I also would welcome Cajun or what have you. I think people have occasionally slipped in a show tune, the Beatles, etc. Sing-along choruses or easy to join in songs and tunes are especially encouraged.

Snacks are welcome, but not mandatory. We usually make some hot beverages. Bring your slippers in winter or wear warm socks. We have a guest room for those who are coming a long way in winter. Get in touch if you might like to use it. Not suere if we will hold the jam on Thanksgiving and Christmas weekends or not - depends on who will be around. Let me know.

I also often lead jam sessions after the monthly Valley Folk Concerts in Horseheads on the 2nd Saturday of the month. See www.valleyfolk.org for more info. Or better yet, get in touch with me.

Thanks,
Debra (607) 962-4461

yodelady@stny.rr.com

Valley Folk Jams [ back to top ]
This group has a potluck dinner and jam after the concerts. Next conert is ... Follow the link ....
http://www.valleyfolk.org/aboutus.html

Upcoming Valley Folk Concerts : (2nd Saturdays of the month, 7:30 PM) Small Chapel behind the Church at 1034 Broad St., Horseheads.

Only 35 - 40 minutes from Ithaca, take 13 south to 17 West. From 17, take exit 52 North towards Watkins Glen. After ramps, 14 North is also Westinghouse Road at that point. See the Knight's Inn on left and take first Left onto Broad Street. Venue is 1034 Broad Street - First United Methodist Church on the right.

Family Room Music: Hosting house concerts and other musical events.

Also, not mentioned on the poster, please note that the concert will be preceded by a potluck at 6 PM at the same location. Please RSVP for the potluck beginning January 1st to Debra Chesman (607) 962-4461 or yodelady@stny.rr.com

Ithaca Bluegrass Jam ... [ back to top ]
Location Longview -- 6:00 - 8:30 pm alt Fridays
Email Rick to get on his bluegrass list or for questions
The LOCATION is detailed below.

Some bluegrass links:
Pickin' in the Pasture Aug 25-28, 2005
Central New York Bluegrass Association
International Bluegrass Music Assosiation - IBMA

The OFFICIAL Ithaca bluegrass jam, which is the advertised jam, is going to remain IN Ithaca ...

05/26/2006 -- Stewart Park
Well folks...looks like this week will be our first week outside. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it, but I hope others will show up to kick off the Stewart park jam right. Next week we'll be back in Longview and we'll just alternate...we'll see how it goes. So this week why don't you folks meet up at the large pavillion that is nearest the entrace to the park. If that pavillion is occupied, slide over to the one by the playground. Stewart park allows food and drinks.....and I believe the lights are on until at least 10:00pm. The jam will start at 6:00pm and run until whenever. Have fun and have a great weekend!!! Rick

05/19/2006 Longview

01/26/2006 -- All right folks, Paul and I have finally managed to get a regularly scheduled location for every other friday. Starting tomorrow (friday), we will be having the jam up at Longview every other friday. The jams will be from 6pm-around 8:30pm.

Directions: Longview is a community home up by Ithaca college on Rt 96. If you are coming from downtown Ithaca and start heading up the hill, it is on the right side, less than a half mile past the light going into the Ithaca College campus. There is a big sign for Longview...pretty tough to miss. When you pull into Longview, if you go straight to the end, there is a designated lot for Visitor Parking. There are a bunch of signs for the specific visitor parking lot, it is tough to miss, so make sure you park there (otherwise you'll be ticketed if you park in the tenants lots). There is plenty of parking and the space where we'll be having the jam is a good size space with plenty of chairs. You'll want to come in the front doors of the main office building. We'll try to have some signs taped up to point you in the right direction to where the jam will be once you go in the front doors. It is basically just down the hallway...not too tough to find. Paul and I are planning on being there tomorrow and we are hoping for a good showing this week to get this thing kicked off right. I hope as many of you can show up as possible. We really don't have to worry about how many people show up with the space that we've gotten. Hope to see you all there!!! If you have any questions, you can either email me or call my home # at 898-4725 and leave a messege. I'll get back to you by tomorrow. Keep on pickin'!!!! Rick

From Wild Rose Newsletter November 2005: The Ithaca Bluegrass Jam (submitted by Rick Cicciarelli)

I had been talking about wanting to start a bluegrass jam here in Ithaca for about a year now. I was really quite surprised that there wasn't one organized all ready here in Ithaca...I mean, really...it's Ithaca!!! There were jams for just about every other style of music you could want, but nothing for strictly bluegrass. I finally managed to get something organized with the help of Mike Ludgate and his all ready organized list of old timey players. We started off having jams every friday at Stewart Park on the lake from 6pm until dark. We have since moved into the Ithaca Coffee Company shop and our jam is every other friday (we are trying to find a location to have it on the alternate fridays). I started this jam as a tool to allow closet pickers and beginners to get out and have fun, so I wanted to make sure that it was understood up front that it is an open jam for beginners and advanced players combined. I also wanted to make it strictly "unplugged" and strictly "bluegrass." I will admit that a few crossover tunes get mixed in, but on a whole, most people who show up for this have been looking for a jam that is just that...strictly bluegrass. Typically we go around and ask everyone to suggest tunes. During the last couple of jams we have actually gone around in the circle and everyone takes a turn naming a tune they want to play, and then THEY kick it off. That way the beginners can name a tune they know and can start it off at the pace that they want to play it at. We also get quite a few very talented players that show up and they have quite a bit to add to our jams. Generally, we play tunes at a medium pace, at which the advanced players can experiment with, while at the same time allowing the beginner players to keep up with. Our email list continues to grow as more and more people find out about our bluegrass jam. Everyone has a great time, so come on out and join in the fun. For directions and additional information contact Rick Cicciarelli 607-898-4725.

Jam report from the Friday July 29 Jam: "The jam last friday went well. We had some pickers from the week before and some pickers from the first week. Some great playing all around, with both advanced players and beginners. The location right now is great because there is room to spread out if need be and that is exactly what happened. Later in the evening the beginners split off from the more advanced players and began a "beginner" jam circle. This is great, because I know from the looks on some faces (including my own), it was difficult to keep up with some of the tunes. I know the beginners get frustrated trying to keep up and the advanced players get frustrated trying to slow down....all in all it worked out great and I hope we can keep this thing going. I keep getting great responses from people who seem to be having a lot of fun with it. We'll see you at the next jam. Keep on pickin. Rick"

"Well we had a very successful 1st bluegrass jam on friday [July 15th] down at Stewart Park. We a few banjos, a number of guitars, couple of fiddlers, a dobro, harmonica, wash-tub bass and a number of singers. I was pleasantly surprised at the turnout for such short notice. I tend to be a little reserved in person, but I can say this now...THIS WAS SOOOO MUCH FUN!!!!!! I think everyone that was there had a great time. This was my first bluegrass jam and all I can say is: FINALLY!!!! I want more!!!! :) This coming week I am going to try to get the word out a bit more on this bluegrass jam....online, around town, in the paper etc. Spread the word to anyone you might think would be interested, and if you know of others who would like to be put on the bluegrass jam email list send me their email addresses. As we left it on friday, it looks like, at least to start with for now, that we will try to have this every friday. A couple of people mentioned they wouldn't be able to make it next friday...others said they would definitely be there. We'll see how it goes, but for now: Every friday at 6pm, Stewart Park. We'll have to judge what the pavilions look like with reservations/parties, but we sat in the one nearest the tennis courts and the playground and it worked out great. I'll send out a reminder/update as the week progesses, but until then, I hope to see as many of you as possible next friday at Stewart park. Keep on pickin'!!! Rick"

"I am surprised at the amount of response I've gotten all ready about this jam. I've gotten some feedback on times and other locations as well. Overall it sounds like people like the idea of Stewart Park (for now at least), and on friday. What would you guys think about trying to do a 1st time trial jam this friday at 6pm?? It would be new to me, as I haven't joined in a jam yet, but I am anxious to get my feet wet. Obviously, I am trying to have this open to all who are interested...so for all of you beginners, don't be shy to show up and try to join in. It sounds like the pavilions get reserved on occasion over at Stewart park, so I guess we should just kind of have a show-up-and-find-the-group policy, but we'll shoot for one of the pavilions if possible. If people want to try to do something this friday let me know (I don't want to be the only one there :) -rick

Can't separate singing from Bluegrass if it is to be a true Bluegrass jam. Bring your voice!!! -Mark

"There have been a couple of questions as to what instruments would be "acceptable" for this bluegrass jam and I was told it might be an good idea to clearify a little what we are thinking. Totally unplugged of course, but the typical bluegrass instruments include: a bass, banjos, Mandolins, fiddles, and guitars, and dobros. People can always break into different groups if it gets too crowded, etc. I am going to try to show up at Stewart Park this Friday at around 6pm one way or another." -rick

From Debra Chesman: "May I also add that bluegrass has a very distinctly American style of harmony singing which follows certain patterns, with a few accepted variations. I am happy to go into more detail, if needed, in person.

In addition to any songs and tunes that our kind host has offered to pull together, I would like to recommend a few books for you consideration. The first is Pete Wernick's (aka "Dr. Banjo") book, "Bluegrass Songbook" ISBN # 0-8256-0164-9 Last I saw it, the rrp was $17.95. It has a maroon cover. Not only are there over 130 songs with banjo tab of the melody, chords and words, but there is lots of information about bluegrass for those new to the genre.

There is also a cheap and cheerful series of 3 called "Bluegrass Favorites", each having 100 or so songs, although I think a few appear twice in the series. In contrast to Pete's book, they're not the best in terms of documentaion of author, but they have chords and words and as of a few years ago, each volume was still only $4.95. They each have guitar, banjo and mandolin chord charts in them for beginners to use as a reference. The first volume is yellow, volume 2 is green and #3 is blue. They are thin books and they say "Joe Morrell Books" in the lower left front corner.

I don't know if the jam host had singing in mind, also, but I am hoping singing will be included in these jams. Ithaca, more than some other places I have lived, has a way of segregating players and singers. I hope this will not be the case here? Looking forward to picking and singing with y'all,
(I play the washtub bass)" Debra -- Coordinator of Valley Folk concerts. [ back to top ]

Acoustic Open Jam & Song Circle
Syracuse [ back to top ]

Acoustic Folk, Blues, Celtic and Bluegrass Players of All Ages Welcome!

The Tuesday Night Open Mic at the Lucky Moon Cafe is making a slight format shift, to something so old it's new: a weekly Acoustic Open Jam and Song Circle at a public cafe - open to all ages in a non-alcohol venue.

"Some of the most enjoyable times I've ever had as both a musician and as a music fan have have taken place at acoustic jams and song circles" said Larry Hoyt, host of the Tuesday Night Acoustic Open Jam & Song Circle. "Our Tuesday night format at the Lucky Moon had previously been the usual open mic, with individual performers getting their 15-to-20 minutes of fame behind a microphone and a small PA. Open mics are great and have their place, but the jam/song-circle format gives everybody a chance to participate all night long if they want to. It's a great way for musicians to get to know each other and to learn each others' favorite songs. And it's also good practice for folks who want to instruct others in the fine art of acoustic ensemble playing. And for the audience, there's always that time-honored tradition of singing and/or clapping along."

The Acoustic Open Jam & Song Circle takes place Tuesday nights, from 8 to 10 pm, at the Lucky Moon Cafe, 719 East Genesee Street, Syracuse - just down the block (go East) from the Marx Hotel. Free admission.

for more information, contact Larry Hoyt at
LHoyt2000@netscape.net

Binghamton Bluegrass Jam [ back to top ]

Tom & Marie (http://home.stny.rr.com/thebluezone/) will be hosting a blugrass jam. Those interested in playing bluegrass or folk music, either singing and/or playing an acoustic instrument, are welcome to join the jam. The jam will be held 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm, at OnQ At Depot (http://www.onqatdepot.com/), 21 North Depot St., Binghamton, NY. We hope to make this a regular monthly thing.

1) Wednesday August 30

2) Wednesday September 27

3) Wednesday October 25

4) Wednesday November 29

Also see the forum for last minute changes ...
http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?t=112

Marie will be playing bass, and I'll can choose from several instruments as needed.

Tom Quigley

Syracuse Irish Sessions
email Harvey Nusbaum

New website here

EVERY FIRST Sunday we are at
The Half Penny Pub 4 - 7 PM
321 West Fayette Street - just down from Kitty Hoynes and next to Zoo Station - South side of street, between Franklin and West Streets. 315/478-3091

EVERY 3RD SUNDAY we are at
Johnston's BallyBay Pub 4 - 7 PM
DIRECTIONS: http://web.syr.edu/~htkeays/irishjam.html

Every 2nd and 4th Saturday we are at
Kitty Hoynes Pub and Restaurant 2:30 - 5 PM
301 W Fayette St; Syracuse, NY 13202 (corner of Franklin St) 315/424-1974 SPECIAL NOTE FOR PLAYERS
Michelle Osborne coordinates playing at KH. Contact her to play there: crysania@gmail.com 487-0758

Binghamton Irish Sessions ...
Hostess Anna Lisa Quinn [ back to top ]
[ email Anna Lisa ]

Also check the forum for recent postings ....
http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewforum.php?f=7

July 2006 Session dates:

July 11th Night Eagle Session Cancelled due to Irish Arts Week Festival in East Durham, NY No NEC Session July 11th.

Thur, July 20th Binghamton AOH Irish Session

Tues, July 25th Night Eagle Cafe Irish Traditional Session

Aug 2006 Session Dates:

Tue Aug 8th Night Eagle Cafe Irish Session

Thur Aug 17th Binghamton Irish Session, AOH

Tue Aug 22, Night Eagle Cafe Irish Session

Night Eagle Cafe Irish Session ...
Oxford, NY -- Hostess Anna Lisa Quinn [ back to top ]
[ email Anna Lisa ]

Also check the forum for recent postings ....
http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewforum.php?f=7

July 2006 Session dates:

July 11th Night Eagle Session Cancelled due to Irish Arts Week Festival in East Durham, NY No NEC Session July 11th.

Thur, July 20th Binghamton AOH Irish Session

Tues, July 25th Night Eagle Cafe Irish Traditional Session

Aug 2006 Session Dates:

Tue Aug 8th Night Eagle Cafe Irish Session

Thur Aug 17th Binghamton Irish Session, AOH

Tue Aug 22, Night Eagle Cafe Irish Session

Complete session information may be found at the Night Eagle Cafe's website and a list of upcoming concerts at Night Eagle cafe may be found at: www.nighteaglecafe.org

Night Eagle Cafe is a not a restaurant and is not a bar; it is an intimate space where the performer's art is respected. Coffee, tea, and snacks are available for purchase. The cafe is located in this lovely small town in a vintage storefront that looks out on the town square's charming gazebo. Night Eagle Cafe has stained glass windows, hardwood floors, artwork is displayed, CDs of performers who have played the cafe are available for sale, and it has this wonderful artistic and creative ambience. Some of the top acoustic performers drive long distances to play music at the Night Eagle Cafe. Playing music in the Night Eagle is indeed a pleasure; the notes pleasantly reverberate and there is a resonant, alive, and beautiful sound when music is made in this space. Due to the rich and responsive acoustic properties of the room, the Celtic Harp sounds amazing here. Session content will be 100% Irish. The session is acoustic only and without amplified instruments. Due to tuning issues, we will not use piano on session nights. On session nights at the Night Eagle Cafe, no admission will be charged; although, the hat will be passed for donations to help cover costs and to keep the cafe doors open for future events. I encourage you to visit the Night Eagle's website to see for yourself the outstanding performances, workshops, and events it offers: http://www.nighteaglecafe.org/

Very soon, the Night Eagle Cafe's webmaster will be adding our session information to its site. In the meantime, I have listed a description of this session so that people have an understanding of what this traditional Irish session offers. You may view this description on the Sessioneer Website at: http://www.sessioneer.org/sessions/display.asp?ID=383

Best regards,

Anna Lisa Quinn [ back to top ]

On the road???

Other jams all around the USA are listed here http://www.folkjam.org/

These Jams vary quite a lot: Email the organizer and get on his/her list ... Always RSVP and or contact the jam organizer to verify that it is still happening; this will save possible frustration -:)

Corning Horseheads

4th Friday Folk Music Jam
Valley Folk Concert Potluck & Jam

Binghamton

Fiddlins Fun Jams -- NYS Old Time Fiddlers Assc. 4th Fridays
"Making Noise in the Library" jams
Java Joe Jammers - weekly every Tuesday
BLUEGRASS Jam Bing -- monthly
Wednesday Night Jam at OnQ -- Dannielle
I rish Sessions -- AnnaLisa --
Night Eagle Cafe Irish Sessions --

Rochester

Rochester Summer Slow Jam - '05
Rochester Cajun Jam -- at Mendon Venue

Music Forum
http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/

Check the FORUM under local and non-Ithaca for other jams and also festivals for weekend and week long summerlearning and jamming events.

After watching polls and listening to feedback from

subscribers, I have decided to open the forum up one notch. I will make it so anyone who knows the link can read the messages - this will increase the usefulness of the forum to this music community. But: you must register and login to post messages. Also you must register in such a way that I know who you are (to keep pranksters out): either make your login name really obvious (like mine) or use the same email as you use for the listserve or send me a message so I know who you are. If I can't figure out who you are: I will delete you. But DO PLEASE register - this opens up the networking options for jams, gigs carpools etc. -m

On Jammin' ... [ back to top ]

"Yeah sure gas is expensive now, but it's not worth missin' a good jam or cuttin' out on seein' your friends to save a buck ... car pool when you can, ride your bike when you can ... but don't become a recluse! It just ain't worth it ... dang! -:) Live music is the best - especially when you help make it!" -m

From a clogger at a big jam as she's dancing in time with and face to face with one of the fiddlers ... " wow! ... this is just like the real thing "

From the fiddler ... " this is the real thing -:) "

I have noticed one of the philosophical differences amongst folk musicians is that some feel it should be 'polished' and practiced while others feel that authentic folk music is more spontaneous and thus perhaps not always so polished. To me real folk music is what happens at a jam -- not at a rehearsed public performance ... -m

From a list-serve reader in Rochester: "In my opinion, the real issue is the tendency in our Western modern society for music to be "owned" by the musicians. The typical us and them paradigm. Go back a couple of generations and I wonder if there was less separation between "the musicians" and the "public". Someone picks up a pair of spoons and rattles along with the music. Dancers dancing. Kids clapping. A beginner playing along with "the pros". Less entertainment, more participation. Part of life."

Wednesday Lunch Jam - Cornell Campus
at noon on the Cornell Ag Quad [ back to top ]

Aug 31st 2005 -- I am sad to announce that I will no longer be hosting the Summer Lunchtime Jam on the Ag Quad. The fall semester brings classes and other activities to my lunch time schedule. Thanks to all who joined in making music with me on the Ag Quad this summer!

I would like to extend an invitation to any musicians who would like to join me in making some lunchtime music every Wednesday at noon on the Cornell Ag Quad. I'll be under a tree, with guitar, music, voice and a desire to share music-making with whomever has a similar desire. YFN tunes, waltzes, songs... anything goes. I intend to establish this as a regular gathering, for as long as the nice weather persists. In the event of rain, the jam will be cancelled. -- Laura

Laura B. Taylor

Cajun/Zydeco Jam --
2nd Sunday of the month: [ back to top ]

There will not be an April Cajun Zydeco jam. Fisherman's Pub is not available. We will try again in May. Thanks for your interest and support,

Greg

There will be a Cajun-Zydeco Jam this Sunday at Fisherman's Pub from 4-7. We will have about 2 hours of Cajun and and hour of Zydeco. If this works out we will try to keep it as a monthly jam.

Fisherman's Pub is located on Taughnanock Blvd. Just before Castaways.

Steve, the owner of Fisherman's, has agreed to give this a try. I am looking for other musicians to lead the jam from time to time, so please show up if you would like to see this happen.

So stop down and jam or dance, but please remember we want to keep the jam on the traditional side, especially the Cajun part.

Take Care

Greg [ Email Greg ]

More Cajun and Zydeco events in the Cajun Corner

Monthly jams are held at the Common Ground.

We will start out with a slow traditional (acoustic) Cajun jam from 4:00 pm on, so we can learn new tunes, and work on the old tunes. Please bring chords or a recording of a tune, if you want to, that you would like to lead. We will have the usual (amplified) Zydeco jam from 5-7. Bring and instrument or your dance shoes. The more you dance the better we play.

What is Cajun & Zydeco? There is an excellent description and history of this music on the Rochester Zydeco Website.

Some listening material suggestions for traditional cajun from Betsy K: "Wade Fruge is a good place to start. Any old cajun stuff like Balfa Brothers. Savoy Doucet band is good too."

Ithaca: From Joe Damiano (a southern old time regular from this group) -- "We would love to hook up with more southern old time players. We have a very loose knit thing going on presently, but we've been able to amass quite a number of southern old time players on several occasions. At this point we are not meeting at any one set spot on any set night. It ends up being somewhat spontaneous and we've been just making calls to people 1 or 2 days in advance. We are in the process of trying to "tighten it up", though. We are trying to organize a very family friendly Sunday afternoon potluck to happen every week. In the summer it will be easy enough to have it outside, say Stewart Park or the Farmers Market. For now though we are struggling to find a place. Any suggestions anyone?

Meanwhile, I would gladly be a contact person for other people looking to get in on some southern Appalachian jams. All skill levels are encouraged. We'll put them on our phone list and let them know when and where to go until we have a real set thing going. Thanks - Joe D. (banjo) [ email ]

Java Joe Jammers [ back to top ]

EVERY TUESDAY at 7:30 PM: Binghamton... Come listen to the Java Joe Jammers... or bring your acoustic guitar, fiddle or harmonica and jam folk songs (with a touch of bluegrass) with a great bunch of talented musicians. CyberCafeWest

Hello from Binghamton,

Every Tuesday 7:30 pm till 9:30 or 10 pm The Java Joe Jammers have an open jam at the Cyber Cafe West in Binghamton NY. We play by the rules of the old timers if you play well you can play loud. If you're new, just learning, or don't play so good you play soft. Mostly Old time, Bluegrass, fiddle tunes, some new grass +++. A lot depends on who shows up..

John Van Loke [ email ]

Please join us for a Fiddlin's Fun jam. All musicians of all abilities interested in old timey music should join us for an evening of sharing and learning new and favorite tunes. You don't need to be a fiddler to attend. In fact, a few guitars, mandolins, and banjos would be lovely. Listeners are also welcomed. For beginner jammers visit the playlist to hear some of the more popular old-timey tunes. Coffee and sweets will be served. [ source ]

THE NEXT SPENCER JAM AT JUDY'S IS TUESDAY, nothing scheduled, AT 7 PM - 10 PM. BRING A CHAIR!

"Making Noise in the Library"

Just a reminder about our Jam Session on Sunday, May 28th ??, 1-5pm at the Vestal Public Library. [ back to top ]

The Library Jam: My philosophy for the Library jam is to keep it accessible and friendly for all ages and stages. Ultimately, it should be a place and time where everyone feels welcome to become a part of the music in whatever way they wish. It's not a performance opportunity -- an effort should be made to choose songs that are either familiar or easily learned, so all can join in. Like a bluegrass jam, I'd also like folks to leave "break" opportunities for those who don't sing so much as play their instrumental leads. Finally, the approach would also be "round robin" so that everyone has the opportunity to choose a song -- or pass to the next person. Listeners are also welcome. We need more "back porch" experiences -- "come and sit and listen, join in where you feel moved to do so." I'd hope some little folks might come to hear and see the music happening, and perhaps I'd keep a little stash of percussion instruments on hand for them.

For contact/questions, please use my hotmail addy danniellerae@hotmail.com
The dates for 2006 are:
Jan 29
Feb 26
Mar 26
Apr 30
May 28 -- I don' t know about this one, it might be Memorial Day
weekend is the one before it?? Scott put me in for that date, but I
can certainly cancel it.
Sep 24
Oct 29
Nov 26
Dec 17
All the Jams for 2006 will be held in their spacious "Meeting Room"
which includes an upright piano!

DIRECTIONS -- We're not hard to find: get onto Route 434 and drive to Vestal!
-- From Route 17: Vestal has its own exit from Route 17, which puts you onto 26 South, and from that take the exit for Vestal/434 and head west until you can make a U-turn at the Clayton Avenue light. (There is a light at the bottom of the exit ramp; the next light west of that is where you make your U-turn.)
-- From Binghamton and points east on 434: you will need to do a U-turn at the Clayton Avenue light (there's a car wash and a couple of food joints at that corner.) Get into the right-hand lane, and just past the Skylark Diner (on your right), turn right into the parking lot for the Library.
-- From Owego on 434 : continue eastward, past the gazebo, and watch for the Skylark Diner, and you, too, can take that right turn into the Library parking lot.

Enter through the front doors, and go through the doors to your right. (If you go through the doors to your left in the entryway, you'll be in the actual library, which is handy if you wanted to borrow a songbook or two, but you still have to be quiet on that side of the building. I'm sure folks in there will tell you where to go...) SO, make sure you go through the *right-hand* glass doors, and follow the hallway to the end, turn right, and our room is on the left. I'll post signs and see if we can prop the door open, to make it easier on folks with instruments to haul around.

We will have a regular series of "last-Sunday-of-the-month" jams at the Vestal Library in 2006. Please let me know if you would like the dates, or would prefer reminders. (or both...)

If you no longer wish to receive notices of these jams, please let me know that as well!

Thanks & hope to see y'all at the Jam!
~Dannielle

We'll only meet once in 2005, but we are *booked* for the LAST SUNDAY of EVERY MONTH in 2006 at the Vestal Public Library's meeting room! This is a wonderful new venue -- lots of parking, lots of room, lots of great books to read (we can look up those forgotten lyrics!!), and easy access without daunting icy hills in the winter!

The Vestal Public Library is located on the eastbound side of Route 434 right in the village of Vestal, next to the Skylark Diner. The old railroad car that serves as the Vestal Museum is parked right out in front of the building as a pretty little landmark.

In October 2005, we will meet in the *Lecture Room*: enter through the front doors, and go through the glass doors on the *right* of the foyer. Turn left and take that hallway to the end, turn right, and our room is on the left. (Gerry -- or any other srting bass player: we can let you in the fire door -- it's a little shorter walk!)

For 2006, we have reserved the big meeting room -- enter thru the main doors, go through the glass doors on the right; straight across the hall is our room -- and it has a piano!!

Hope to see a lot of our Jam friends return to us in October, and spend the "Last Sundays" of 2006 with us as well!

A dish to share if you come for dinner.
A song to share if your feeling brave.
An Instrument (or three) if you play.
Your smiling face, energy and enthusiasm.

Current info and locations [ here ]

Rochester Northern Slow Jam ...
Hosted by Megan Wobus: [ back to top ]

Just wanted to let you know that I'm organizing a
"Northern" music beginner level slow jam in Rochester
this summer. (2005)

What do I mean by northern? Traditional
and contemporary Irish, New England, French Canadian,
American, and Contradance fiddle tunes for a start.
It's open to anyone on any instrument- if you're
already a pro on the mandolin you might want to bring
a whistle (and so on). Everything is pretty much all
set- we're going to be in room 305 in the Eastman
School of Music at 26 Gibbs Street. There's an
elevator in the main hall of Eastman that goes up to
the third floor- you turn left off the elevator to get
to room 305. The time is Mondays at 7:00 for now.
I'm excited to take suggestions for tunes to do, and
I'm definitely interested in sharing the chore of
leading the tunes. We're going to go ahead and start
next Monday, June 20th at 7:00 in Eastman's room 305.
Feel free to spread the word to anyone in the area you
think might be interested- hope to see you there!

Megan Wobus
797-8218

www.turtleunited.com
www.contranella.com

Rochester Area Cajun Jam Moves to Mendon Venue [ back to top ]

The Rochester area is home to many people who enjoy Cajun music, food, and culture. For the last two years, more than a dozen people have met monthly at the home of musician and dance instructor Esther Brill to play Cajun music together. Not a band, the Cajun jam is a gathering of people from all walks of life that share a passion for Cajun music. Now in its third year, the Cajun jam is moving to a public venue, the Mendon Cottage Hotel. The first session will be held on Sunday October 23 from 2 - 5 pm. Musicians, dancers, and folks who just want to listen are invited and encouraged to attend this free family-friendly event. Future Cajun music sessions are scheduled from 2 - 5 on the third Sunday of each month, also at the Mendon Cottage Hotel (1390 Pittsford Mendon Rd., corner of NY Routes 64 & 251). For further information, contact Esther Brill at (585) 244-2815 or ebrill@frontiernet.net.

Some local color from Jack Plum: " more than 30 years ago (and several owners) the Cottage Hotel was THE place for music. It was the home for old time music with the Swamproot String Band (with Brian Williams), the Henrie brothers (as young kids!), and the first venue for John Mooney (who lived about two miles west). Frequent bands included Friendly Lick Dog Band (Chris Broadwell and Mike McCarney and others), Highwoods String Band, Correctones and many others. Ithaca and Mendon were the northern mainstays of old time music in

those days."

Greetings, everyone! [ back to top ]

Here comes a new week, and smack in the middle of it is the Wednesday Night Jam at OnQ www.onqatdepot.com

This particular week, on Sept. 28, I have been asked to host the open jam 7-10pm, and instead of a genre focus, I asked if we could feature the many talented women musicians of this area. Scott agreed, and he thus assigned it to "folk" (-- that makes sense, right? we ladies are good folk!)

This is NOT an evening of "only" anything! I hope that we can have as many women out to sing and play as we can gather, just because the sound of women singing in a group is magical. Many of the local women are amazing instrumentalists as well -- but while I hear some up in Candor, others at the Cyber, and others at bluegrass festivals -- I have never managed to gather them all to meet and play together in one place. Please pass the word along!

Still, we welcome all our beloved menfolk as well!! I am the *last* person you will see excluding people from a jam session, believe me. It's really all about the fun of making those tunes and songs come alive again, and I hope all my good friends -- everyone receiving this message! -- can come down to OnQ this Wednesday for some great fun.

See you there!
~Dannielle

From the "Wild Rose Newsletter" Nov 2005 by Tom Quigley

The Canaan Road Jams
(submitted by Mike Ludgate):

Mike Ludgate started hosted jams at his heated workshop in the hills of Caroline about 6 months after starting his venture into traditional fiddling. He has a website and email list for his jams http://www.ludgatefarms.com/musicnt.htm

"I started hosting jams in the autumn of 2002 because I didn't really know where to go myself. I didn't know of any jams .. at least none that I dared attend as such a total beginner ... so I sent an email out to the exercise list that I had and ... that was the beginning of the jams and the music list.

We have two distinct formats -- week night learning jams and occasional Saturday night party jams; the weekly Wednesday night jams are fairly structured .. this keeps the usual complaints I hear through the grapevine in check. Some of the typical complaints at other jams are:

"One or two musicians took over" or "they played everything too fast" or "they did all New England and no Southern" or "I didn't know what key it was in" and so on.

Most of these problems we prevent on Wednesdays by sitting in a fairly tight circle so we can hear each other and going around the circle and each in turn choosing a tune. The person who calls the tune is asked to announce the name of the tune and what key it is in ..[hmm .. then we wait for the banjos to re-tune ] ... The speed is picked by the person who picks the tune. We play it 3 to 6 times depending on requests, in a two hour period this gives us time to go around the typical 6 or 8 person circle 2 or 3 times.

We have a set of printed sheet music that contains the standards for our group (which is traditional American "squared off" for dancing) ... we welcome additions at any jam, but the person bringing the new tune should have copies made ahead of time with chords ... sometimes we learn new tunes by ear ... if you learn tunes that way I have a bunch of mp3s recorded from jam sessions I can give out ... and I encourage you to bring a recorder and record jam sessions.

The other format is the Saturday night potluck and "big jam" .. since they are held on the weekend only occasionally, they attract a big crowd (usually about 50) and often split into 2 or 3 jams around the property. This gives friends neighbors and family a chance to hear the music and offers a chance for musicians to intermix different styles .. we get old-time southern and northern, Canadian, Irish, Cajun, blues, bluegrass etc. .. at this kind of gathering .. but it is difficult to maintain structure in each jam .. so I don't try. This is more of a party atmosphere, but attracts a pretty clean crowd .. drinking is discouraged the emphasis is on the music. Next big jam is Nov. 5th"

The Library Jam
(submitted by Dannielle Swart)

The first Library Jam Session will be on Sunday, October 30, 2005, 1-5pm at the Vestal Public Library. This will be the only jam in 2005 scheduled, see below for the 2006 schedule.

We're not hard to find: get onto Route 434 and drive to Vestal!
-- From Route 17: Vestal has its own exit from Route 17, which puts you onto 26 South, and from that take the exit for Vestal/434 and head west until you can make a U-turn at the Clayton Avenue light. (There is a light at the bottom of the exit ramp; the next light west of that is where you make your U-turn.)
-- From Binghamton and points east on 434: you will need to do a U-turn at the Clayton Avenue light (there's a car wash and a couple of food joints at that corner.) Get into the right-hand lane, and just past the Skylark Diner (on your right), turn right into the parking lot for the Library.
-- From Owego on 434 : continue eastward, past the gazebo, and watch for the Skylark Diner, and you, too, can take that right turn into the Library parking lot.

Enter through the front doors, and go through the doors to your right. (If you go through the doors to your left in the entryway, you'll be in the actual library, which is handy if you wanted to borrow a songbook or two, but you still have to be quiet on that side of the building. I'm sure folks in there will tell you where to go...) SO, make sure you go through the *right-hand* glass doors, and follow the hallway to the end, turn right, and our room is on the left. I'll post signs and see if we can prop the door open, to make it easier on folks with instruments to haul around.

My philosophy for the Library jam is to keep it accessible and friendly for all ages and stages. Ultimately, it should be a place and time where everyone feels welcome to become a part of the music in whatever way they wish. It's not a performance opportunity – an effort should be made to choose songs that are either familiar or easily learned, so all can join in. Like a bluegrass jam, I'd also like folks to leave "break" opportunities for those who don't sing so much as play their instrumental leads. Finally, the approach would also be "round robin" so that everyone has the opportunity to choose a song -- or pass to the next person. Listeners are also welcome. We need more "back porch" experiences -- "come and sit and listen, join in where you feel moved to do so." I'd hope some little folks might come to hear and see the music happening, and perhaps I'd keep a little stash of percussion instruments on hand for them. [ back to top ]

For contact/questions, please use my hotmail addy danniellerae@hotmail.com

The dates for 2006 are:

Jan 29

Feb 26

Mar 26

Apr 30

May 28 -- I don' t know about this one, it might be Memorial Day weekend is the one before it?? Scott put me in for that date, but I can certainly cancel it.

Sep 24

Oct 29

Nov 26

Dec 17

All the Jams for 2006 will be held in their spacious "Meeting Room", which includes an upright piano!

The Valley Folk and Home Jams
(submitted by Debra Chesman)

I have two jams sessions going on monthly. The first is after the Valley Folk concerts in Horseheads, NY, after the monthly concert. More info can be found at www.valleyfolk.org, or by the contact info below. Valley Folk runs on the 2nd Saturday of the October through June. The concerts are usually over by 10 or a bit earlier so we figure why not stay after the show for an hour or two, once you are already out for the night.

The second jam is a monthly folk jam session at our home in Painted Post, NY (close to exit 44 of Interstate 86/ Route 17) beginning at 7:30 on the 4th Friday of the month. It is an eclectic mix of musicians who attend so you might hear traditional or modern American and English folk, or folk rock from the 60's and '70's with good choruses to sing along on and lots of harmony, and also some bluegrass and other Appalachian music-depending on who shows up.

I love to sing and harmonize and I play washtub bass, some folk guitar and very little banjo. I’m happy to share the instruments I am not playing. We also have a house fiddle and mandolin to share. Sometimes, we even use the piano. The music room floor is wooden and the acoustics are great for jamming. In winter, we recommend you bring some indoor slippers or warm socks and get real cozy. We usually make some warm drinks. Sometimes people bring a few snacks to share, but we keep the focus mostly on the music with time in between songs for a bit of chatting.

It's always a good idea to phone before setting out if you are not on Debra's e-mailing list, just in case. We occasionally take the jam "on the road" to Ten West Espresso in Mansfield, PA like we are this Friday, October 28. Sometimes we cancel for a holiday weekend like Thanksgiving, but not always- it depends on who can make it. Phone (607) 962-4461 for more info and directions or e-mail yodelady@stny.rr.com

Tom & Marie’s Open Bluegrass Jam
(submitted by Tom Quigley)

I advertise this jam as an open “bluegrass jam”, but I’m not very strict about it being solely bluegrass. All sorts of music styles are played at the jam; bluegrass, folk, blues, rock, and country. I do wish it to be a jam using only acoustic instruments without the use of a PA or amplification (the exception being using a small amplifier for Marie’s acoustic bass-guitar). Singing songs are greatly encouraged, with lots of harmony. I like to keep the momentum of the jam going, so as soon as one song stops I’m ready for another. But I don’t want this to discourage others from leading the group with a song they would like to do. I’m all in favor in others taking the lead. I am guilty of starting a song without saying what it is, or what key it’s in, or what chords are used in the song. I’m trying to break that habit, so please, if you want to know a little more details about the song before getting into it, speak up and stop me and I would be glad to review the song. Everyone, of all skill levels, is welcomed to the jam. I think its great that people just getting started make the effort to attend jam sessions, and there is no better way to learn about music than doing so.

The Open Bluegrass Jam is held at OnQ at Depot, 21 North Depot Street, Binghamton, NY. Two more jams there are scheduled, November 9^th and December 7^th, both being Wednesdays starting at 7pm and going to about 10pm. I plan to talk the owner of OnQ about scheduling dates for the jam in 2006.

The Candor Jam (submitted by Trish Engelhard)

The intention for the Candor Jam session is to provide a safe place for musicians and singers of all abilities to come together to share, learn and enjoy each other's music. The styles can vary greatly, from traditional folk, Beatles favorites, Grateful Dead, to jazzy originals. We take turns going around our circle of participants, who either lead a song, or request one they would like to do with someone else leading. Leaving breaks between chorus or verses gives space for instrumentalists to try a break. Sometimes the music comes together in a very magical way, and other times there are 'foggy mountain breakdowns' that are learning experiences in their own way.

Most folks who show up to play at the Candor Jam have big hearts and are encouraging to new players, and closet players who have fears of playing in public. This jam is one of those steps performers can take to gain confidence before playing in front of an audience. And again, having an audience may not be a goal. Just playing music and singing with other people has a happy, healing affect, especially if it's got some moments of laughter blended into the evening. On the other hand, there's nothing like a good old sad song to help us get through life's more difficult emotions and circumstances; helping us let go and move on and heal. This is some of my personal philosophy, and the reason I've been leading this jam; as well as playing out at nursing homes. The jams are bi-weekly on Thursday evenings, 7:30 at 90 Main Street in Candor, the house of Bob and Cheryll Berg. The next few jams will be Oct. 27, Nov. 10, and then we will skip Thanksgiving Thursday and pick up our bi-weekly pattern on Dec. 1. If anyone has any questions they can email me, or call 659-4070. Hope to see you at a jam in the near future!

The Ithaca Bluegrass Jam
(submitted by Rick Cicciarelli)