Midnite Open Mic Jam

I sang "Never Gonna Go Easy" for Wednesday's Midnite Open Mic Jam at the Depot Brewery.   Although at the time I didn't know about the coincidence, I wrote the song a few years ago on the same night a friend was fundraising for his legal defense against accusations of herbal disobedience.   The words and melody came in like a radio wave ~~ THAT part WAS easy!

None of the other musicians had heard this song nor played it, but they made it sound great: Tim Carey grooved bass line, Jon Estrin embellished with lead guitar, James Moore kept rhythm on kit while Bob Bernards gave a beautiful hand rhythm on a djembe.   I added flute between verses.

Afterwards, long, energetic jams with Tim and Jon as Dan Gorman sat kit, James moved to conga, Tony sat keyboard, Paul Squillo joined on trumpet, and newcomer Lava Lava added his saxophone to the mix.

Super energy, awesome sound, so three hours later I'm easing off the high.  Whew!

Backing at the Festino

Dick DeAngelis is a great friend of music in Fairfield and last December he hosted a party for musicians.   He said musicians support causes with free performances throughout the year, and this was his way to thank them for their generosity.   Dick cooked up some great Italian food, brought red wine, and collected the cool of Fairfield to evoke a special atmosphere for making music.   Several entertained us with solos and a few of us jammed with them as back-up players.   I did a few backing vocals.   Here's an 8-minute jam from that night ~ ~ ~



Players (left to right): Keith DeBoer, Christy, David Hurlin, Jon Estrin, Trina Neal, Tim Britton
Video posted by FairfieldRocksMe

A *Cavern* for Fairfield

I made it to the jam in Revelations' basement.   I learned from Jon Estrin why it was called a jam when I asked him the name of the band:  "No name right now.   The poster billed it as Jam because we do not rehearse so it is essentially a jam with a set list."   John Schirmer organized it, and the other members are John Huff on bass, Eric Henderson on drums, and Steve Swygard on keyboard.   Estrin and Schirmer play guitar.

A view of Revelations' storefront shows the entrance door at left.
After your journey through the main room and the side room,
a stairway takes you downstairs at the right of the pic.
You can see the staircase from the sidewalk, and sometimes hear the music, too.

They are the house band for the Cavern, the new venue in the basement of Revelations bookstore.   The name is a nod to the legacy of the Beatles along with the feeling of down-low: low ceiling, low lighting, minimal decor, minimal gate.   Revelations owner Betsy Howland says, "I just wanted a place where I can dance!"   The jam was the Cavern's first act and she is already booked to mid-June, open for odd Saturdays only ~ first and third Saturdays of the month.

With books lining the walls, acoustics are decent.   I'm impressed with the changes since a year ago, thank you Freddy Fonseca, and more changes are coming.   The ceiling had been torn out near the "stage" area to make room for a staircase.   That will improve circulation and make it easier to have a performance in the side room at the same time as a jam in the basement, since right now one has to walk the length of the side room to get to the basement stair.   It would make toting around food and drink easier, too.   Beer, wine, chips and dip were for sale Saturday at the foot of the stairs just before the door to the Cavern, and a donation jar sat beside the door waiting for tips for the band.

Each band decides whether to ask for donations or to charge cover:  Van and the Movers is scheduled next, and they're planning a $5 cover.   [Update: actual cover was $8]

Several musicians were checking out the place when I stopped in.   They like the sound, they like the funky low-down feel, and they are planning to play there.   Looks like Fairfield has a brand-new hot spot!

Jam in Revs basement tonight

Mike'll be there checking out the scene. 

I hope to get to the jam tonight in the basement of Revelations ~ a big meet-up for a bunch of great musicians.   I heard John Schirmer (guitar, vocals) and Jon Estrin (guitar) are going.   I sang with them at the Boogie Shack 3 years ago when Tim Duffy was organizing us into the Los Armadillos group.

Heard "muscular blues" ~ tight, loud, powerful ~ from the reincarnation of Van and the Movers in their debut last night in the photography studio at Josie Hannes Design/Flair Vintage Décor.   Great venue, but she said she's not planning to rent it out.   She cleared almost all of her photography stuff out of there as a favor for her father-in-law's band.