I have heard about impromptu jam sessions in the Big Easy. Always wanted to attend one and listen to musicians getting together for great music.
Last week I attended a wonderful Jam session and it wasn’t in New Orleans. It was Wednesday and open Mic night at Tickles in Crown Bay Marina. We were there to lend moral support to a friend who played guitar and sing.
Never intended to stay past his performance but as luck would have it, we lingered. Between talking, eating their famous potato skins, drinking a cruzen rum and coke the night turned from a middle of the week quick stop, to a great night to remember.
Musicians from around the St. Thomas gathered to play some wonderful blues music. Magical was the ambiance, spell binding was the music as Singers , steel pan , guitar, harmonica and flute all performed without knowing each other before hand. Selections to perform were decided on via a group discussions on stage before each number.
When the flute arrived we were skeptical and I saw more than audience member get a poke in the ribs from fellow patrons. We were pleasantly surprised to hear the flute mix in and really play unlike any other flute I have heard before. That flute blew the blues.
Not only was the instruments great but the singers were on track , on Que and in rhythm.