As you may be able to tell from the set of photos in this blog entry, the people who attend JAM night are fun to be around. This is an open environment, free to listen, walk around, have fun with everyone. This venue is not so unique given the history of music, however very unique for today just because of the open atmosphere, the vibe. Artist will go up and play, and it might strike a nerve in another artist to go up and join them. They surprise each other with their individual quality, they smile, laugh, and radiate the room for us.
Now realize, these people do not necessarily interact with each other on a daily basis nor for the most part practice doing this as a team or group. Many only see each other when they come here to JAM. These are artists that know their trade and are very capable of working together, and enjoy just that.
I hope you enjoy the photos, and "see" what I see, which is their internal voice, their greatness, which is individualistic and within all of them . . .
Matt Heckler was first up this evening, opening us up with an unprecedented option to give us seven songs.
Matt Heckler
Mark Biegel came up and joined Matt. Now, people who I have mentioned this too think that the trumpet would just over power . . . not so. The fineness from Mark (okay, tools of the trade) allowed him to accompany Matt with the greatest of ease in perfect volume.
Michelle Milan
You will see a lot of photos taken this evening of Michelle. For whatever reason, I was at the right place at the right time and had fun photographing her . . .
Oh artists, you gotta love them . . . Lauren Dunning being a ham, or grape as the case may be . . .
Melissa Welch and Michelle then partnered for some play . . .
Melissa Welch
And Mark could not resist, and that was a very good thing . . .
Mark Biegel
There are so many combos going on in the evening that you will never keep track. Here is Rich Alvarez on bongos, Melissa on sax, Thomas Matecki on piano, and Mark Biegel on trumpet.
Oh, and there are first timers. Just not first time in the gallery, but first time in the gallery and performing in front of people. Next was David Garcia who did a very good job his first time up.
And, it seems we never pass up the opportunity for a birthday . . . happy b'day John Brudek . . .
Rich Hall
Melissa and Mark - Some Sharp Brass Here
Rich Alvarez
Dan Serapin, Lauren Dunnning - Adrian Remirez
Photographers William and John
Melissa was asked to join in . . .
Oh, and another combo . . .
Me just playing around with some effects . . .
Don Taylor
My friend Elisa (bottom right), who is an artist that chose to come to her first JAM night to experience what it is all about . . .
Mark always shows respect and delight for the other artist. My son and I have noticed this . . . he is a true professional.
I like Don Taylor. There is a quality to him that draws you. Very friendly, humble, and enjoying life. This is what draws artists to the front when he makes the request . . .
Artists of different trades come to JAM . . . here is the poetry JAM from
Frank Alexander . . . very enjoyable.
John Vezmar (left) from the Blue Room Cafe, along with Lee Watson (right) and daughter Emily.
Leticia Marquez and Mycul Hanus getting ready . . .
Justin "Zero" Robinson
JB Lenour then joined Justin for some more fun . . .
Some acoustical rapping which was very cool . . .
This dual on piano was funny, watching them fight over who gets what keys on the piano. If you were sitting in the back, you missed the show . . .
Leticia and Mycul
Later joined by Ben Perkins. . .
Alex Diaz
Rich Little and Alex
If I keep shooting photos of this next one (I have shot several over the months), I am going to have to buy it, along with the wall, because they go together . . .
You can see more of the Paul Henry's Art Gallery Thursday night JAM by following my archive at the upper right of this blog.
