[Dixielandjazz] More on JazzSea Jammers Model

[Gluetje1 at aol.com]

One day in the past week or so, Scott Anthony mentioned the mentoring that  
goes on via Dick Williams' JazzSea Jammers.  Thought I would expound a bit  
more on how that works both because I am mighty grateful to Dick for his efforts  
and because the model might work elsewhere particularly at festivals that are 
 several days long.  Background is as known to me (so opinions and  factual 
errors are my fault).  JazzSea Cruises, a specific brand name, so  this post is 
NOT about any other jazz cruises have gone on for 25  years.  Among folks 
going as audience for the 4 - 6 pro bands along on  each cruise there were always 
people who either did play OKUM in  their own locations or were wannabe 
players.  So about six years ago  Dick offered to be the organizer and director for 
all these folks  to be able to jam.  When individuals sign-up for the cruise 
they are asked  if they would like to be a JazzSea Jammer and on what 
instrument.  Dick  sends a playlist of about 100 tunes with keys to all who sign up.  
You  can also refer to lead sheets (Littlefield Fake Book #1 has most of the 
tunes,  you may have to adjust a few keys).  And if using the book, you will 
have  to organize yourself to accomplish finding pages with a minimum of fuss, 
not be  hidebound to it, improvise reasonably on your solos and accompaniment,  
etc.
 
Scott was correct in that the Jammers are playing as many, probably more  
sets than the pro bands even though individual Jammers will  not ordinarily be 
playing that much.  Dick organizes all those  who signed-up into groups per set. 
 He also does a playlist per set--but  these may not get followed for lots of 
good reasons that have to do with  director instincts and judgement.  Dick 
knows the capability of some of the  Jammers better than others as there are 
always new Jammers signing up.   This is part of the great fun of being a Jammer. 
 Each set is brand new in  terms of who the group is, who are your strongest 
players that set, what are you  going to do to off-set any problems, etc.
 
Another piece of the fun is that the Jammers, especially on the cruises  have 
their own fan base.  Other Jammers and partners, of course.  But  also jazz 
listeners who like to go find out if this set is going to consist of  train 
wrecks or surprisingly good jazz.
 
The mentoring???  Dick will let you know clearly what he is  looking for.  He 
will give you a chance in front of an audience no matter  how much a beginner 
you are.  He will tell you how you can improve.   If you are one of the 
"stars", he will feature you as much as he can within the  parameters that all 
Jammers are also paying customers on the cruise, same as  you.  For the past 
couple of years Dick has brought some Lu Watters charts  along, held rehearsals for 
those who want to try those charts, and a concert  using the charts near the 
end of the cruise.
 
Also beginning about five years ago way more banjo players were doing the  
cruises than can be accommodated in a jazz grouping.  So Carol  Neumann, the 
agent for these cruises now brings Tim Allan along on most of  these cruises as 
the organizer and director of a banjo band.  This  group too has a fan base, 
does a number of performances each cruise.  Most  banjo players prefer Tim's 
group, some continue to prefer being part of the  Jammers.  There are lots of 
schedule conflicts if you try to do both.   The news I got about a month ago was 
that there were only fifty spaces left on  the January 2008 cruise so it may 
be sold out for now.  But I do notice  there is a cruise now announced on the 
Web site for summer 2008 to Alaska.
 
Williams is doing JazzSea Jammers at several California festivals.  I  only 
have been able to attend one of those in San Diego in 2005.  But I do  know 
that any youth showing up were invited to sit in.  I have not seen any  young 
instrumentalists on the cruises.  If this kind of jamming opportunity  were 
available at more festivals it would be a drawing card for me --not that I  can 
afford much more travel than I am already doing, but still-----
Ginny
The web site for JazzSea cruises is: >_http://www.jazzsea.com/_ 
(http://www.jazzsea.com/) < 



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