Finnegans/Delano, MN

Neat blues jam tonight about 40 miles from where I was staying in Minneapolis, located in the small town of Delano. So, it's a good thing my Hertz rental had an on-board GPS. Moses Oakland usually is the host, but had a conflicting gig tonight. Dale the house drummer was acting host and did a good job of getting everyone up for the standard three tunes even with no sign up list. I wasn't able to really tell what brand of drums I was playing since it was pretty dark where the band was setup. I did find it tough to play a fast shuffle with the snare batter head tuned so loose. Some real tasteful players here tonight and well worth the drive.

Action Jazz Cafe/Action, MA

Back to Action last Thursday, the 8th.......Great jam with the usual bunch of musicians for 5 songs in the second set. I brought my 4X14" Downbeat snare along since this room is very "live" and I always seem to play louder than needed. The smaller snare worked well, however I still need to play softer. Maybe it's time to bring my cocktail setup along for this lower volume blues jam.

Chan's/Woonsocket/RI

Chan's last night after traveling the last two weeks in NY and the mid-west, but never having the time to jam. No sign up list, but Ken Lyons did a good job of getting everyone up to play. I was the first drummer up, after Steve the house drummer. I got to play 5 or 6 songs behind Bob Cohen on Harp and a new guitar player "AC". I also brought my Eames Master Model custom snare along for the first time. What a joy it is to play-very responsive and plenty of power when you need it. With 15 plys of brich-7"X14" it's a pretty massive drum and sounds great! I needed the power last night with 4 guitars, bass, keyboards, harp, 2 saxes, washboard player on stage to play behind. I love playing this jam

Irene's Pub/Ottawa, Canada

I just got an E-mail from Mike Ktenas a bluesman who runs a very popular and cookin' blues jam in Ottawa Canada every Thursday night. March 8th is the First Anniversary of this great jam at Irene's Pub. I wish I could be there to play it, but I won't be up that way again until springtime. Check out the blues goings on in Ottawa on Jim Roy's website: www.ottawabluesjazz.ca