KINGSTON JAZZ JAM: An opportunity for jazz musicians to get together to make music and jazz lovers to listen and enjoy. Kingston Jazz Jam, founded by violinist Claudia Forest, is about building local community that supports the connections and development of jazz musicians, fosters appreciation for jazz, and builds the jazz listening audience. We respect the different levels and unique contributio
ns of all participating musicians. Chromatic Studios, where we meet, is a house concert and art workshop venue in Midtown Kingston in the home of Andrew Waegel and Jocelyn Bergen. Nothing is for sale, but they supply all the amenities--a drum set, sound system, tech support, complimentary refreshments, and a warm welcome. A house band, typically consisting of keys, bass, and drums, forms the backbone of the jam. There is a suggested of $10 for listeners and $5 for musicians who drop in, which helps offset expenses and reimburse house bands members for transportation and other costs. Overview of how KJJ is run:
1) We are an acoustic jam with minimal amplification, as needed
2) All instruments, including voice, are welcome.
3) We work from a pre-made set list and provide binders for use at the Jam that include charts and lead sheets.
4) If players would like to choose a tune not in the binder, we ask you bring 10 printed, legible copies of the tune. Sheet music should include both CHORDS and MELODY, in the key of your choice and should be in concert C. But additional charts in Bb and Eb for horns are appreciated.
5) As new players come and bring copies of new music, they get inserted into the binders and our set list grows.
6) Participants each get a chance to call a tune from the set list.
7) The KJJ house band provides the foundation. All musicians present can play as much or little as they choose. We begin by playing the head all together, then go around the “circle” and each musician can choose to solo or not.
8) We have fun!
