>>PREVIEW
JAZZ JAM SECOND ANNIVERSARY PARTY
Saturday, March 10 (3 to 6 p.m.)
Broken City
Calgary may not be known for its back alley jazz clubs, yet there's a small but determined group of musicians in town who have been slowly building a respectable jazz jam at Broken City on Saturday afternoons.
Now in its second year, the Jam brings together a mix of teachers, students and professional musicians to strut their stuff, collaborate and learn. While it can be challenging, it's an event about which co-host Jonathan May is clearly passionate. After moving here from Portland, Maine in 2006, the professional drummer noticed a lack of dedicated jazz venues.
"There aren't that many art rooms around Calgary," he notes, adding the distinctly independent vibe of the room on 11 Avenue S.W. lends itself well to their gatherings.
"They're doing a great job and it's alive and vibrant, but it's no New York. The scene could use some bolstering," he says.
Coming from a background of jockeying for stage time in some of North America and Europe's most esteemed clubs, he says Calgary's jazz community is emergent and still finding its own identity. Moreover, May says the newness of the scene here creates ample opportunity for aspiring musicians.
"If you go to a jam in New York or Amsterdam, half the time it's a group of musicians on stage who are as good or better than the host band."
The second anniversary party will be hosted by noted local saxophonist Jim Brennan and will be a wide-open jam. May is encouraging emerging artists to come and take advantage of the chance to play with professionals.
"I want students to come out," May says, adding first timers should take heed of jam etiquette.
"There are certain rules to a jam. Be very courteous. Get up, play, then say thank-you and get off. Odds are the host will ask you to play again," he says, adding there is always a healthy mix of styles on stage.
"We run the gamut from improvisation to straight-ahead standard stuff." While Saturday afternoons are a typically hot time for jams around town, May says they are seeing respectable crowds.
"People come for the music and that's encouraging," he says.
So, how about those who find jazz a bit esoteric?
"Never be intimidated by anything," he insists. "Music is music, man. Good music is good music, and everybody can hear that."
Mark Bell and his wife Jacquie have been avid supporters of the jazz scene in Calgary for over 20 years. Bell, a self-proclaimed jazz guitar hobbyist, has been helping to promote the event along with his wife. Since becoming regulars at the Broken City Jazz Jam two years ago, he estimates they've been to over 100 sessions.
He notes it has evolved on its own terms into a unique Saturday afternoon happening.
"We've got a good thing going," he says. "We've seen some truly amazing things."
Bell says the fluid, ever-changing nature of the jazz genre means no two sessions are ever the same and the vibe can morph from laidback to high-energy depending on who is sharing the stage. He also says the variety of clientele makes the room crackle with personality.
"It's so cool. You see everyone from bricklayers to cowboys to girls with shaved heads enjoying themselves."
Broken City’s second anniversary party for the Jazz Jam will take place on Saturday, March 10 from 3 to 6 p.m. |
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