Imagine your a musician. You show up and put your name on a list—noting what instrument(s) you play, if you can sing, etc. Then, somewhere behind that mysterious Wizard of Oz’s curtain, a wizened master of ceremonies pairs you up with other musicians—often ones you don’t know or never played with.
While you wait, the house band launches into their opening set. The audience may not know, but you do, that these dudes have played together for months or maybe years. The house bands are always good and they set the bar fairly high.
The house bands are always good and they set the bar fairly high.
A short while later, usually in the middle of taking a sip of your favorite adult beverage, the Wizard taps you on the shoulder and startles you into spilling your drink. He tells you says, “hey, your up next…and your playing with that gal and those two guys over there.”
You wipe up the drink you spilled on your shirt and do a quick huddle with your new bandmates. First order of business: decide what songs you all know…at least well enough to attempt. A few minutes later your on stage and most likely winging it! It’s like comedy night at the improv. You never know how the routine will be received.
Now imagine your not that musician. You’re just a shmo in the audience watching this mini-dram play out on stage. If you understand hw jam nights are ran, your probably smiling in anticipation of what this new “super group” if going to ery and pull off. Sometimes the results can be awkward, but they’re always entertaining.
Sometimes the results can be awkward, but they’re always entertaining.”
Personally, I often find myself chuckling when I see see musicians I know get int a bind, then manage to work their way out of it. It is those awkward moments I love the best. More often, I find my self slack-jawed in awe of the magic that these pairings of musicians are able to manifest out of thin air.
If you haven’t been, you need to take the leap and go check out one of the many open jam nights in the northern Utah music scene. They are a great way to spend a evening. Supporting the venues that host these open jam nights is a great way to support local music. Many of the musicians who show up are semi-professional and professional musicians looking for a fun way to keep their chops sharp
Here’s a roundup of the open jams:
Trouby Tuesdays at Shades On State
Lee Greenhalgh and Juliette Camille of Dead Mistress were featured artists at a recent Trouby Tuesday open mic.
The newest game in town is also one of the most unique. Local troubadour Maxwell Sessions has partnered with Shades Brewing to put on a Tuesday night open mic that is held at one of the most unique venues in town. The venue features a large, open space furnished with dozens of comfortable sofas, overstuffed chairs and coffee tables—set up in somewhat private living room spaces where groups can relax and watch artists perform originals and coves. Music starts at 7 pm and often runs until midnight—or as long as there are artists wanting to play. Shades on State is located at 366 S State Street, Salt Lake City.
The Hog Wallow Pub, Cottonwood Heights
The Hog Wallow jam includes solo artists and and jams where everyone is welcome to join the band on stage.
I once endo’d into a wetlands bog while mountain biking up at Kelly Canyon, northeast of Idaho Falls. My buddy Michael christened the spot as “Scott’s Hog Wallow.” So years laters, when I moved to Salt Lake City, I had a strong desire to check put the open jam at The Hog Wallow Pub. When I did, it certainly lived up to my expectations. The crowd can be a mix of tourists and locals. The Monday night jams start at 9pm and a house band usually plays til around 10 on the small and intimate stage (see your’s truly jamming in the photo up top). From 10 pm on, the open jam kicks into full gear. I love the 4$ pints of 801 Pilsners. Speaking of beer, check out this short piece at wasatchrider.com on the History of Beer in Utah. The Hog Wallow Pub, 3200 E Big Cottonwod Canyon Rd.
The Green Pig, Salt Lake City
The Green Pig Blues jam is one of Utah’s best. You never know who will drop by while they are on tour.
The reputation of the blues jam at The Green Pig being world class is well-deserved. I had heard you don’t just walk in and get selected to play…you have to earn a spot. I’m not a big blues guy and my chops are definitely questionable, so I never once considered bringing my guitar on this trip. Maybe I’ll get the nerve later this summer with a bit of work. The house band features some local legends like drummer Kevin Gardiner, bassist Ray Rosales. I also recognized a few other musicians, like Gary Tada. The sound was nice and tight.
The vibe at the Pig is totally different from other Jam nights. For a Monday night, the place was almost packed with a mix of locals and trade show visitors. There was also quite a bit of dancing which was great. Despite the crowd, the service was great and I had no problem ordering a mug of Coors draft. Don’t hate me beer snobs…sometimes I need something light and cheap. As far as food goes, the wings must be great: the tourists were eating them by the basket. Check out the Green Pig blues jam on every Monday from 10 pm to 1 am. The Green Pig, 31 E 400 S.
Gracie’s, Salt Lake City
Alan Carrington tells me the jam night at Gracie’s is interesting because being downtown, a bar has to meet certain standards. Alan, BTW, is a great photographer and shoots thousands of photos and videos of local concerts and posts them on the Salt Lake Band Life facebook page. I digress. Gracie’s Monday night jam is a Jazz music jam and on Sunday nights it’s blues. I’m mostly keen on dropping in to the new Bluegrass Jam currently scheduled for once a month, every 3rd Tuesday. Gracie’s, 326 West Temple
Salt Lake open jam nights come and go and it can be hard to keep up with what’s what. Like I mentioned earlier, bookmark this page and return every now and then. We’ll do our best to keep it updated, including adding Ogden and Provo area events. If solo singer songwriter music is more your style, stay tuned for an upcoming article on Salt Lake open mic night scene. I’ve been hitting these up and there are some great ones out there, offering a relaxed enviro and some eclectic and talented artists.
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