I played with that group for 2 years. During that time I still played most Fridays at the House of Doggs. Playing Jazz with others became a passion. Each musician brings something different to the table. To that end, it became important to me to create small venues in which there would be opportunities to play with other people.
It is surprising what can be created with a little effort and perseverance. OK, luck helps too.
My wife invited the owner of a garden center/gift shop to hear me play at the diner.
(Full disclosure- my wife was managing the owner's downtown store at this time.)
The owner enjoyed the music and the next time I saw her she asked if I would play in the garden area of Wildflowers.
The first couple of times it was a solo act. Later I was joined by a trumpeter Alan (a fine player).
I didn't recognize his name until we met at Wildflowers for the first time. Only then I realized that we had played in the college jazz band mentioned earlier.
With the blessing of the owner I invited other players. She began to promote it as an open jam session. We had set up a keyboard for anyone who wanted to sit in.
"If you provide a venue, they will come", or in other words it seems that musicians will always show up to play. Some nights there would be as many as 8 musicians. At the peak we had a classically trained pianist, drummer with a full kit, trombone, 3 trumpets, sax, 2 guitars, bass and a vocalist. All playing jazz. Some became regulars, some just by chance.
There is one particular evening I would like to relate. It was warm and sunny and we ended up with a 5 piece ensemble cooking along (piano, trumpet, guitar, drums and me on sax). We had played thru the first se
t and into set 2 calling up Song for My Father(one of my faves). The head was played, Al played his lick and I started in. I could hear some discussion going on behind me but I was intent on chord changes. Al said "take another". You don't have to ask me twice, so I launched into the progression. I was really on the fly. I noticed Al walking into the garden. Now all I hear is the drums and guitar. Al and the piano player are speaking to Annie Ross of Lambert Hendricks and Ross. Being the astute Jazz lovers they were, they recognized her right off. The rest of the ensemble finished the song and went down to meet the jazz innovator. My brush with greatness.
Many great evenings were had there. Thank you Donna Bergen (owner of Wildflowers) for the opportunity to play and grow in that garden.
It is surprising what can be created with a little effort and perseverance. OK, luck helps too.
My wife invited the owner of a garden center/gift shop to hear me play at the diner.
(Full disclosure- my wife was managing the owner's downtown store at this time.)
The owner enjoyed the music and the next time I saw her she asked if I would play in the garden area of Wildflowers.
The first couple of times it was a solo act. Later I was joined by a trumpeter Alan (a fine player).
I didn't recognize his name until we met at Wildflowers for the first time. Only then I realized that we had played in the college jazz band mentioned earlier.
With the blessing of the owner I invited other players. She began to promote it as an open jam session. We had set up a keyboard for anyone who wanted to sit in.
"If you provide a venue, they will come", or in other words it seems that musicians will always show up to play. Some nights there would be as many as 8 musicians. At the peak we had a classically trained pianist, drummer with a full kit, trombone, 3 trumpets, sax, 2 guitars, bass and a vocalist. All playing jazz. Some became regulars, some just by chance.
There is one particular evening I would like to relate. It was warm and sunny and we ended up with a 5 piece ensemble cooking along (piano, trumpet, guitar, drums and me on sax). We had played thru the first se
t and into set 2 calling up Song for My Father(one of my faves). The head was played, Al played his lick and I started in. I could hear some discussion going on behind me but I was intent on chord changes. Al said "take another". You don't have to ask me twice, so I launched into the progression. I was really on the fly. I noticed Al walking into the garden. Now all I hear is the drums and guitar. Al and the piano player are speaking to Annie Ross of Lambert Hendricks and Ross. Being the astute Jazz lovers they were, they recognized her right off. The rest of the ensemble finished the song and went down to meet the jazz innovator. My brush with greatness.Many great evenings were had there. Thank you Donna Bergen (owner of Wildflowers) for the opportunity to play and grow in that garden.
At this time I was approached by a Dixie Band leader that was currently playing Tenor Sax in his band. He wanted to move back to clarinet and needed so one to to play the sax parts. Steve Weldon allowed me to play in that group for a couple of years and I still fill in from time to time. If you ever get a chance to play in a Dixieland band do it! The music can be challanging but there is nothing like it. 
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