Jazz Jam in Montclair

Went to a jazz jam in the basement below a Mexican Restaurant, across from the YMCA in Montclair, NJ. There used to be a jam here a year or two ago on a different night of the week, which ended. Looks like they are trying to get it started again, on Mondays this time.

There were three sax players, an upright bass, a drum set (two drummers), and a guitarist. I was the only keyboard player; I brought my KX-88 and Motif Rack, and used a little Peavey amp. Except for the drums, there was only one person per instrument, and we all played in every song.

We took turns calling tunes. Most were from the Real Book; a couple were from Book 2. Some interesting stuff happened.

The first two saxes were and alto and a tenor. The third sax player brought a tenor and a curved soprano, which he played really well. As a group, we seemed to have tuning problems. Some of the stuff was tasty though; the bass player was particularly interesting.

It was hard stuff to play but I think I did OK. We played from 8 PM to about 11. There was no audience, with a couple of minor exceptions when curious people came downstairs to listen for a few minutes.

There are a couple of unused meatlockers off the basement. One of the meatlockers had a rock band in it (somehow, that seems appropriate), but we could not hear them at all while we were playing.

At Bernie's, not the Black River Barn

Haven't been to an open mic in quite some time, mostly because my job has me getting up so early. But last night I went to the open mic at Bernie's, one which I have been to many times in the past.

I actually had planned to attend the open mic at the Black River Barn, which is nearby. My particular reason to go there is that my band wants to play there, and the management said the only way to qualify would be to "audition" at an open mic.

Now, it's unlikely that I can get the band to the open mic, for several reasons. First of all, only two of us live nearby. Second, we have plenty of gigs without having to audition. Next, the open mic is in the middle of the week; we only play on weekends due to the numerous scheduling conflicts which are bound to arise during the week.

However, I'd like to play at the Barn; as I said, it's close by. Also the food is pretty good and they don't charge cover. So I went there Monday to scope out the room, and find out what time the open mic is. I was surprised to find that the band hosting the open mic was still Hoi Polloi. Now, I have nothing against these guys, but I once went to their open mic at this same club long ago and they were way too loud. Ear-splitting, ear-damaging loud. I blogged about it back then. I was going to the open mic to play solo, as I think my band would be able to get hired on the strength of my playing alone. But I ended up deciding that my ears could not stand the abuse, and I would look funny wearing gun muffs, so I went to Bernie's instead.

There were only three acts there, including the house band and me. But everyone was very good, and I enjoyed listening until it was my turn to play. The house band had a new member: a mandolin player. He was the best mandolin player I have possibly ever heard. For some reason, mandolin players always seem to play the same pentatonic patterns at inappropriate times. Even David Grisman does this. Not this guy; he played modally, and quite well at that. He ran his signal through a couple of pedals, including a Mu-tron III. Sounded great.

When it was my turn I played Right Place, Wrong Time; Gentle Rain (a jazz standard); Werewolves in London; Bell Boy; and finished with Jack Straw.