January 7, 2018 Jam

We ring in the new year in a hard bop bag (am I mixing metaphors or something here?) with featured tunes from Clifford Brown and Lee Morgan! First up is "Sandu," a blues from Brownie and Max's classic album, A Study in Brown. I love this recording for the wonderful little gem of a trumpet solo that kicks off the blowing. Then we'll change things up with "Ceora," a gentle bossa from Lee Morgan's Cornbread. Paul Dietrich (tpt), Doug White (pno), Ben Ferris (bs), and Keith Lienert (dr) will help us kick off a new year in their own sweet way.

We look forward to seeing you again!


OMJJ (Our Middleton Jazz Jam) is moved to THURSDAY, Dec. 21 - 6:30 -9pm

School is out, Come and join us Thursday, Dec. 21, 6:30 -9pm to have a great community music making PARTY at The Stamm House:  http://www.1847stammhouse.com

WE INVITE:  MHS Students, Alumni, Teachers, Families and all interested in improvising jazz,

Several people have ask WHO can participate?

short answer: any musician, any age who is able to play a 12 bar blues or other tune and improvise over the form.

longer answer: This jam is an open format where musicians come and sign up for a song they know. (there will be a sign-up sheet - look for it). By song musicians will be called to the stage and get the chance to play and improvise on the song of their choice with some professional musicians and other student musicians.  The musician does NOT need to have their song or improvising mastered-- this is a fun, friendly, give it a try, performance/workshop opportunity for all. OMJJ is targeted for MHS Students but not exclusive to them.  

Chance Stine – Sax, John Becker – piano, Jim Huwe – drums, Laurie Lang – bass and other MHS musicians and other pros adding a few songs for this party event.

December 21st we’ll still play tons of blues in various keys and hit some Christmas & Holiday favs. We will feature Mr. Becker, the AMAZING, Sauk Trail, magic, music teaching Man on keys and also some drums; the most grooving drummer around Mr Jim Huwe; JazzBassMama Laurie Lang on Bass; Jan Wheaton -vocals  will stop by to sing a few holiday tunes to warm the stage and MHS grand alumni, Chance Stine on saxophone will appear as well as all the wonderful students of MHS music program and others who want a piece of the action.

OMJJ is not an official MHS program but is an opportunity for MHS students to learn and perform in a safe environment.  


Dec. 21 - THURSDAY -- move OMJJ over a day

OMJJ (Our Middleton Jazz Jam)moves over a day.... Turns out the Stamm House has an event on the 20th so let's make music and party on THURSDAY, Dec. 21. 

Chance Stine - Sax, John Becker - piano, Jim Huwe - drums, Laurie Lang - bass and other MHS musicians and other pros adding a few songs for this party event.


Our Middleton Jazz Jam -Dec. 20 @ The Stamm House 6:30 -9pm

SO MUCH FUN! We've been jamming on the blues every session but also featuring different tunes students have learned and Dec. 6 theme was Miles Davis tune and we were joined by Halie So What Miles Brown-- tons OF trumpet.

December 20th we'll still play tons of blues in various keys and hit some Christmas & Holiday favs. We will feature Mr. Becker, the AMAZING, Sauk Trail, magic, music teaching Man on keys and also some drums; the most grooving drummer around Mr Jim Huwe; JazzBassMama Laurie Lang on Bass; Professor Dan Wallach on Sax; Jan Wheaton -vocals  will stop by to sing a few holiday tunes to warm the stage and MHS grand alumni, Chance Stine on saxophone will appear as well as all the wonderful students of MHS music program and others who want a piece of the action.

possible songlist: (send me your email if you'd like copies of any music to prepare yourself for the jam)

C- Jam Blues

Sonnymoon for 2 (Bb)

Blue Bossa

Straight no Chaser (Bb)

Everyday i Have the Blues

Freddie the Freeloader (Bb)

Watermelon Man

Holiday Theme Songs

Christmas Song (Mel Torme)

Jingle Bells (Giant Steps changes on the chorus)

Silent Night -- with All Blues bassline

and more...

 

 


December 17 jam

The last jam of the year takes place on Sunday, December 17. The house band will feature a potent mix of veteran players and UW jazz educators: Dave Cooper (tpt), Paul Muench (pno), Lucas Koehler (bs), and Matt Endres (dr). The tunes of the week are Miles's "All Blues" and Ellington's "Perdido." Lately each jam has featured two different tunes for jammers to practice before coming out to play. We envisioned having a basic number for beginners and a more difficult tune for intermediate players. This week it's hard to tell which tune is the easier one and which is more difficult, because they're both easy and difficult in their own ways. Both are straightforward harmonically, so there's not much to worry about there. But "All Blues" could be a tricky if you're not used to improvising in compound meter (in multiples of three beats to the bar - this one's in 6).  And while "Perdido" is not tough harmonically, it's often taken at a brisk enough tempo to prove a challenge for intermediate improvisers.

 

Whether you consider these tunes easy or tough, we look forward to hearing you play them on the 17th. Come join this crack house band and other local musicians to blow a coda for 2017!