Yesterdays
Our jam last Sunday at Bourbon Street Grille went very well. We had a nice room to ourselves, attentive waitstaff, and
9/25/19 jam
Just a quick note: The house band for the 9/25 jam will consist of local greats Ken Hoffman (ts), Dave Stoler (pno), John Schaffer (bs), and Rodrigo Villanueva (dr). Things will swing. See you soon!
9/11/19 jam
We have a jam coming up in just a couple of days in our cozy new digs at Common Ground! The house band is: Charlie Painter (gtr); Chris Rottmayer (pno); Laurie Lang (bs); Lily Finnegan (dr). We start at 6 and play through 9pm. See you at Common Ground, 2644 Branch Street, Middleton.
August 28, 2019 jam
We return again this Wednesday, August 28 at our new home at Common Ground in Middleton. If you haven't experienced MJJ at Common Ground, come out to see what it's all about. Our house band will be led by local percussionist Rick Flowers on drums. The day begins with an improv workshop led by Rick from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. He'll teach attendees how to play the standard, "My Foolish Heart," in various styles and time feels. The workshop costs $25 for two full hours of jazz instruction from a master musician - it's a great deal by any stretch of the imagination! Then the jam proper begins at 6:30pm and runs until 9:00pm. (As always, the jam is free.)
We look forward to seeing you at Common Ground this Wednesday!
I'll have a new schedule of house bands up soon.
Mike
MJJ's new home
MJJ is back! We’re joining forces with Our Middleton Jazz Jam to hold a new jam session! From here on out, we’ll meet at Common Ground (2644 Branch Street, Middleton) on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. If you haven’t been to Common Ground yet, come out to check out our new location and play some music!
If you liked the old MJJ, you’ll like this one better. Common Ground is a great location, with a nice room, a stage, and PA. And unlike our previous location, it has FOOD!
The merger of our two organizations is a no-brainer. Both of our groups are dedicated to helping community members learn to play jazz in an inviting, supportive setting. We both seek to showcase and support the talented local musicians who make up our house bands. And both of us hope to further enrich the great music scene in the Madison area.
In the coming months we'll be tinkering with things a bit: we're looking at ways to enhance our educational offerings; we might change the name and website; we might change the start or end times of the event. But otherwise, this is the jam session you know and love, back superb new surroundings!
It's been a couple months since we've seen you. Come play with us at Common Ground!
CORRECTION: MJJ and Isthmus Jazz Festival, June 16, 2019
Madison's own Lynette Margulies will appear in lieu of Adekola Adedapo at the June 16 meeting of the Madison Jazz Jam. As part of the 2019 Isthmus Jazz Festival, Madison Jazz Jam is proud to feature a special performance by vocalist Lynette Margulies, backed by local luminaries Ken Hoffman (ts), Johannes Wallmann (pno), John Schaffer (bs), and Joey B. Banks (dr). We’ll follow Lynette's performance with two sets of our regular jam session. The jam takes place at North Street Cabaret, 610 North Street, Madison, from 4:00 to 7:00pm. As always, there is no cover.
The Madison Jazz Jam is open to musicians of all ages who would like to learn from the best players in the area. We are an educational jam session – low key and supportive – founded to promote improvised music while supporting the many talented players who enrich our lives in Madison. Whether you are an experienced player or a beginner, you will find a welcoming community and wonderful opportunities to celebrate improvised music at MJJ.
We extend a special invitation to vocalists to come out for Lynette's set and to stick around to sing with the band afterward. If you are vocalist, or if you know any vocalists who’d like make some music with us, please spread the word and join us on June 16!
For regular updates on MJJ events and featured tunes, make sure to like us on Facebook!
Isthmus Jazz Festival/MJJ June 16, 2019
The Madison Jazz Jam is proud to participate in the 2019 Isthmus Jazz Festival with a special performance by veteran Milwaukee vocalist, Adekola Adedapo, on June 16. Adekola will open this week's jam session with a full set of classic American songs, backed by local luminaries Ken Hoffman (ts), Johannes Wallmann (pno), John Schaffer (bs), and Joey B. Banks (dr). We'll follow Adekola's performance with two sets of our regular jam session. The jam takes place at North Street Cabaret, 610 North Street, Madison, from 4:00 to 7:00pm. As always, there is no cover.
The Madison Jazz Jam is open to musicians of all ages who would like to learn from the best players in the area. We are an educational jam session - low key and supportive - founded to promote improvised music while supporting the many talented players who enrich our lives in Madison. Whether you are an experienced player or a beginner, you will find a welcoming community and wonderful opportunities to celebrate improvised music at MJJ.
We extend a special invitation to vocalists to come out for Adekola's set and to stick around to sing with the band afterward. If you are vocalist, or if you know any vocalists who'd like make some music with us, please spread the word and join us on June 16!
For regular updates on MJJ events and featured tunes, make sure to like us on Facebook!
MJJ seeks a new venue
MJJ will no longer take place at North Street Cabaret. Our last jam at North Street takes place on June 16, 2019 as part of the Isthmus Jazz Festival. (Details on the Isthmus Fest show are forthcoming.) We have canceled our sessions scheduled for June 2 and July 7 as we look for a new venue. We have some leads on new homes, but if you have suggestions we'd love to hear them. Just leave a comment here.
We'll you posted on our search. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Mike
May 5, 2019
On deck for our May 5 meeting are a great house band: Paul Dietrich (tpt), Johannes Wallmann (pno), Laurie Lang (bs), and Rodrigo Villanueva (dr). Featured tunes will be "Joy Spring" and "On Green Dolphin Street."
We look forward to seeing you at North Street Cabaret on the 5th!