Wawautosa Jam Night June 27
We've been dabbling with jam nights for a few seasons now at Wawautosa, but first a little back story. This website is my own personal platform to do with what I wish and was never intended to include my work life at Wawautosa Marina, but when work overlaps with my passion, it's time to record a little history for posterity.
I built this website last winter with the intention of having my own songbook. Rather than google searching chords for a song I like and winding up at Ultimate Guitar with a thousand wrong choices, I can just come here and have my own version the songs I like. The website is built using Ghost so is it perfect for writing too. Rose and Joanne bought me a MacBook Neo which will make the perfect companion for bringing my songbook to a jam.
In my past life, before Wawautosa, making music with friends was my favourite hobby. I left behind a community of friends that I truly felt I belonged in and I miss that connection. The past three years I have been able to make some new connections by having music jam nights in the showroom at Wawautosa. It is an excellent venue. The old building has a rustic charm and Allison Vidug did a great job of fostering the sense of community that took a hit during the lock-down years. Allison, with a little help from me got the music jams going and we had some memorable evenings. Last summer I was able to come up with some cash and I bought a PA system of my own along with microphones, mic stands, music stands, patch cords and whatnot. The new gear brought a new dimension to the music side of the event. Next on the list will be a permanent keyboard and perhaps some electronic drums.
Organizing an event falls quite far outside my comfort zone. Even though I am not a very skilled musician, I can usually get up in front of a crowd and sing a couple songs, but organizing an event just fills me with anxiety. So, I hired Hailee to do it for me. We licensed the evening with help from Fin City and Hailee was able to bring in some beer and coolers and we charged $6 a drink. We did manage to bring in a nice little crowd, but the musicians who showed up were actually quite amazing.
As usual, I opened the show. I am a very easy act to follow. I sang a couple odd folk songs that would never be requested. I did the Blackfly Song, A Rainy Night In Soho and David came up and we sang My Girl together. The Pogues, Wade Hemsworth and Leadbelly–Guitar, Harmonica, Ukulele– what can go wrong?
Following me was Michael Lindberg. I met Michael a couple years ago at one of the early Wawautosa jams. Michael is truly a professional musician and we all had to pick our jaws up off the floor. He opened with Long May You Run followed by an instrumental piece by Bruce Cockburn. Using his pedals he was able to record and loop the most complicated guitar pieces complete with harmonics and pretty soon it sounded as if an entire orchestra was playing. It was mind blowing. He played a few more and I joined him on singing John Prine's Speed of the Sound of Loneliness.
Next up was Elizabeth. Another professional singer. She sang a capella, a traditional Irish song that has a Gaelic chorus. I believe the song was Siúil a Rún. It was beautiful and she silenced the room.
Evan Morgan played a couple songs. Evan is an amazing performer and he plays the songs people love to hear. He takes requests and knocks them out of the park. He came to one or two of the previous jams that we had along with his friend Dan. Dan wasn't with us last night but when he an Evan play together, it is truly a humbling experience as a musician but a joyful one for a music lover.
Eric and Hailee came up as well. They are part of this great young crew that we have working for us at Wawautosa this summer. Hailee sang, Eric played guitar. This was about the time a bat decided to remind us who actually owns the showroom. The unflappable duo just kept on playing and eventually the bat flew back outside. Eric cranked up the volume and played one after another accompanied by Ashley on vocal. I've been playing about as long as he's been alive and if I live to a hundred, I'll never reach his level.
Eventually it was time to pack it in. David had plans to play a jazz piece on his electric guitar but it didn't pan out. Next time we'll be a little more organized with the talent. After the crowd thinned, it was just Michael and I. We shared some original tunes and then we caught up. It was nice to reconnect, it was especially nice to get some music back in my life. Heather thanked me for getting music back on Six Mile and while I did have a hand in getting it going, it was my staff and the great friends and artists that made it happen.