BLUES LAB
JAM SESSIONS
THE FIRST WEDNESDAY NIGHT OF EVERY MONTH, OCTOBER - MAY, AT TAILGATERS IN BOLINGBROOK
The Bolingbrook Arts Council and Tailgaters in Bolingbrook are partnering to host a monthly Blues Lab Jam where local blues musicians play with, guide, and lead a jam session for students in the suburbs!
Historically, jam sessions have been the place for musicians to connect with each other, learn from one another, and experiment on their instruments and with other musicians. Nowadays, students rarely have an opportunity to play music in this way-- an interactive and improvised style that is the core of blues (and jazz) music.
Students will now have the opportunity to play and connect with other student musicians in a real venue (in the
suburbs with parking), and with professional local musicians!
The jam sessions will be held on the 1st Wednesday of the month, from October through May, from 6-8 p.m. at
Tailgaters in Bolingbrook.
Free and open to the public.
FORMAT:
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A house band of local blues musicians will lead the jam and help guide students
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Students will sign up onsite to participate, writing down their instrument and a few blues tunes they know
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House band will begin the jam and will rotate students in and out of the jam session based on band needs
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LAB SESSION: 3 songs will be focused on during this learning session (see songs below)
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Students should bring their own instruments (drums, keys, and amps provided)
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Appropriate Instruments: Guitar, keys, bass, drums, horns (sax, trombone, trumpet), vocals
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Student musicians, parents, family, friends, music educators, and music supporters are all welcome to attend.
Tailgaters is an all ages bar & grill so come and have dinner and drinks during the jam.
STUDENTS - How to Prepare for a Blues Jam:
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Know the 12-bar blues format (chords I, IV, V)
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Good Keys to Know: F, E, A, Bb, Eb
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Know a few blues tunes by memory- jams are done by ear so being able to read music is not necessary
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You can also Google charts of songs; there are also Real Books (fake books) of charts
LAB SESSION SONGS:
Dec 6 - Mustang Sally (in C), Watermelon Man (in F minor), Ain't No Sunshine (A minor)
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Jan 3 - Pride & Joy (in E), Cissy Strut (in C), Come Together (in D)
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Feb 7 - My Babe (lil Walter) in F / Sunshine of your Love (in C) / Joe Avery's Blues (in Bb)
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Mar 6 - Johnny B. Goode (in Bb), Georgia on My Mind (in F), Superstition (in D minor)
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Apr 3 - Hound Dog (in C), I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues (in F), Got My Mojo Workin' (in F)
House Band Members (may vary by date):
