April 24, (Wed) 6:30-9pm OMJ at Common Ground – Godfriaux (p), Hoffman (ts), Huwe (d), Lang (b) houseband & featuring the the NYC bound MHS and SPHS Students


This will be a great session with a houseband that listens and can really compliment these young players who are headed to the Jam sessions in NYC with the Lincoln Center Jazz Band Musicians in early May. Join in the fun or join in supporting us.…

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April 10 (Wed.) OMJ at Common Ground 6:30-9pm – Wallach (as), Koehler (b), Banik (p), Normington (d) houseband


MHS and SPHS are both preparing for the NYC 2019 Competition at Essentially Ellington in May so be ready with the tunes listed but blues are always good in any key. Please join us for a great session on Wednesday, April 10th lead by Professor Dan…

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March 27, OMJ 6:30-9pm @ Common Ground; houseband:Godfriaux (p), Hoffman(s), Huwe (d) and Lang(b)


Don't miss a totally grooving rhythm section with rhythmic stylings of Stan Godfriaux on piano, Jim Groovy Huwe on drums and Laurie Lang on bass top if off with the Breaker like Ken Hoffman on tenor sax.…

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March 13, Wed. 6:30 -9pm – Wallach Host


On March 13 6:30-9pm at Common Ground Middleton- Jam host will be Professor Dan Wallach - sax, and his quartet: Steve Banik -keys, Lucas Koehler -bass, Matt Allen - drums Looking for all players but encouraging Sun Prairie and Middleton HS…

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Wednesday, Feb. 27, 6:30-9pm OMJ @ Common Ground Middleton- with houseband: Hoffman, Erickson, Flowers and Lang + Essentially Ellington NYC bound players


Middleton High School and Sun Prairie HS top jazz bands are heading to NYC being 2 of 15 bands chosen in the US to compete in the Essentially Ellington Finals at Carnegie Hall. Please join us as we accompany these fine young players and other…

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Feb 13, Wed, 6:30-9pm at Common Ground OMJ Jam Barba, Endres, Jesse & Lang houseband.


This week we have a great houseband with Tony Barba on sax, Matt Endres on drums, Vince Jesse on guitar and Laurie Lang on bass-- come and join in the music making, bring your instrument and the tune(s) you are working on. There is…

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An approach to learning a tune and ideas for soloing


BE A DETECTIVE AND DECODE THE TUNE What’s the melody? Learn the melody on your instrument Write scale tone numbers over the melody notes (Do - Ti = 1-7) Learn to sing it with the numbers Spell out the chords Yeah …write out every note of every…

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Feb. 13, Wednesday – OMJ Jam – Barba, Jesse, Lang & Sandoval


Join us for a great night with Memorial HS jazz band director and jazz musician, Tony Barba - saxophone Tony's website Vince Jesse - guitar Vince's Bass shop , Laurie Lang - bassist and jazz educator Laurie's website and Chris Sandoval - touring…

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Wednesday, January 23, 6:30-9pm, OMJ Jam, Common Ground – Middleton


Houseband will feature: Sally de Broux - on the big tone, Sarah Vaughan vocals, Cliff Frederiksen - (George Benson-like) guitar/vocal, Laurie Lang - bass and Chris Sandoval - drums We will warm up the stage will some blues and some…

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Jan. 23 – Wednesday – 6:30 -9pm more blues and extended vamps for improvisation exploration.


a Great houseband will set up some good foundations for improvisation. Plan to join us for music and community jazz hangout.

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Jan. 9th, Wednesday 6:30 -9pm OMJ will feature the sax of Chance Stine and the music of John Becker at the Common Ground in Middleton


We will play tunes from the Real Books. Improvisation will focus on vamps - small, repeated sections of music to "blow" over. Come ready to play or just listen-- GREAT place to hang out and meet friends.  

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January 9th – OMJ Jam – Chance Stine & Friends


Chance Stine (saxophone) just graduated from University of Michigan and will lead the jam, Wednesday, January 9th, 6:30 -9pm with his line up of amazing young musicians.

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Dec. 26 OMJ at Common Ground 6:30 -9pm


Dec. 26 we will feature Jim Erickson - piano, Chance Stine - sax, Chris Sandoval - drums, Laurie Lang - bass. That night the jam will feature holiday songs of your choice -- please bring charts or free flow on stage with well known tunes. here is a…

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Dec. 20 – Jazz Residency Concert – Jefferson


9:30am at Jefferson Middle School the Madison Jazz String Quintet will perform with students from Jefferson and director, Carol Jenkins. Chris Wagoner - violin, Jon  Vriesacker - violin, Mary Gaines - cello, Laurie Lang - bass, John Becker - piano…

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Nov. 28 (Wed.) 6:30 -9pm OJM Jam with Dietrich, Grant, Lang, & Sandoval


Join us for some great music making, good food and jazz friends.

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Nov. 28 (Wednesday) – OMJ Jam at Common Ground 6:30 -9pm


This Week with feature houseband: Becca May Grant - piano, Laurie Lang - bass, Chris Sandoval - drums

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Wilson/Adderley – Nov. 14 – Kicking off OMJ Jam by showcasing Jan Wheaton & Dan Wallach 6:30 – 9pm


Join us for a great set 6:30 -7pm of Nancy Wilson favs with our Madisonian legend, Jan Wheaton and Professor Dan Wallach's transcriptions of Cannonball Adderley.  The jam will continue with audience members, MHS students and community members…

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Nov. 14 – Wednesday 6:30-9pm OMJ Jam continues at Common Ground


OMJ Jam and Showcase is 1 year old.  There have been so many people coming out to play music together. Let's try to continue the fun for another year. WE NEED YOU to come and join us... to support Common Ground by eating and drinking there. No need…

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