November 10 2006 Jam

It’s blues night, night two of the Matt Hammer Jam Anniversary Celebration! The core band, Jam Master Hammer on acoustic, with the other Hammer on background vocals (that’s me), Pat Rat on bass, Paul on harp, Bob on electric, Cuba on congas and our favorite banjo player in the whole world, Doc Schultz on blues banjo!

Special thank you to John A. and Steve and Linda R., who prepared multiple momentos for jammers and the band. Wow! Jammers received pictures of a jam moment in the last year and Jam Master Hammer received photos and a BIG picture board that everyone could sign. Mike Johnson, jammer and guitar player extraordinaire, blew up the BIG board so everyone would have room to sign. Alas, his picture was not on the big board, but he notes that he “almost” superimposed his image—and, had he done that, we would all have enjoyed his superimposed face on the big board! Huge thank yous go out to our friends and jammers who helped make this anniversary celebration mightily special!

Special kudos to Jessica who wo”maned” the bar and tables, Dan, our sound maestro, who mans the sound, and a special thank you to the “Cattail Kid,” Ted Henderson, who came all the way down from Fairbanks to run the recording mix and play a bit’o bass for the Anniversary jam.

A little blues’ed up “Glory of True Love,” a little “Tupelo Honey” Hammer-style, and “Atlanta” started this bluesy jam out.

D’mitri, from Mo’Betta Blues fame, is our featured jammer this set.

With Butch slipping behind the drums, Bob Howard on electric, young Kyle on sax, D’mitri on electric, Pat on bass, Paul on harp and Cuba on congas, D’mitri led jammers into a bluesy upbeat tune where Kyle wowed the crowd with sax licks. “Crosscut Saw” followed and we added Dean Reaves on percussion. A little “My Baby Can’t be Found” had D’mitri breaking a nail. An E Major tune brought Jam Master Hammer to the stage on flute for “Midnight Radio” with our percussionist, Dean, grabbing up an implement that sounded suspiciously like an old washboard. Jam drummer Gary Price pulled himself away from his lovely wife (he’s newly wed, ya know) and joined jammers on “Oye Como Va” and “Te Lo Fuente” and D’mitri followed up with “I am the Sultan” and a tune that I failed to capture even a portion of the name of but the song spoke of it being a long time since I’ve seen your face. Wow, what fun, what great music this night.

A quick change of lead singers brought Jam Master Hammer to the mic, singing “T-Bone Shuffle.” A quick break brought blues jammers Mike Johnson on electric, Texas Jimmy D, our featured jammer, on electric, his friend Andy on drums, Patti Greene on her signature slapping rhythmic bass, young Kyle on sax and Cuba on congas.

These superb jammers were led by Texas Jimmy D. into a little Junior Parker tune in the Canadian key of “Aye” called, “What’s Going On.”

Dancers, we had dancers this night. Jimmy jumped into an Albert Collins tune, a funky, swingy thing, “If You Love Me Like You Say” and we even had folks dancing in their chairs, the whole crowd was movin’ to the music, some seated, some not! Ms. Patti Greene, stepped center stage and wowed our audience with her own soulful rendition of a little blues number about a woman, lookin’ for a man, lookin’ for a woman for some sweet, sweet lovin’. One thing for sure, Ms. Patti comes with her big magic music gun loaded, and shoots all her bullets… wow, what great jammers we had this night! A little 12-bar vintage blues, a little Freddy King tune, a bit o’ KC Sunshine and all too soon the man from Texas,’ with the long flowing hair, brought his set to a phenomenal Texas Jimmy D. close.

A short break and a quick change brought Rachel Renae to the stage, flanked by Jackson Marvin on electric and harmony vocals, Mike on drums, Pat on bass, Cuba on congas.

A little “Black Velvet” from Rachel’s velvet pipes, some “Bobbie McGee” Joplin-style, and an original tune written by drummer Mike entitled, “Alaskan Girl’s Kick (you guessed it) Ass.” A little t-shirt promo to boot! A little Bonnie Raitt tune and a little “Little by Little” rounded out the set. “A Song for Cuba,” sung by Jam Master Hammer, and a second sighting of the “Freedom Writer Dancer.” Wow!

A Happy Birthday Kyle moment…with jammers and audience alike singing to one of our favorite saxophone players!

Another quick change brought Jimmy “Jammers” Rearick to the stage on electric, joined by D’mitri and Bob, made it tres electric magic. The boys electric were joined by Gary on drums, Kyle on sax, Matt on vocals, Pat on bass, Paul on harp, Lona on harmony vocals, and Cuba on congas. A “Turn the Page Moment,” a little “Summertime” just for fun and the night came to a close with “Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heaven’s Door.”

Live long, love much, laugh often… and play music! …with good friends… makes a life well lived!