First Post

So as a long time blues jam attendee and as a recent blues jam host here in Denver, I decided it's time to start a Denver Blues Jam blog. I'm took over hosting what has been a long and historically well attended jam at Bushwackers, 1967 South Broadway, that began suffering from poor attendance. We seem to have turned it around with some really packed nights, but like all jams, attendance is up and down. I'm hoping this blog helps promote this and all other local blues jams and encourages musicians everywhere to get out and play. 


Brand new first timers, veteran blues jammers and professional musicians alike can enjoy our jams. I'm hoping for comments on how to improve the jams across town, encourage new players and get regulars to be, well, more regular. Maybe the brown bottle flu can help with that! Gross. 


Anyway, this first post will promote my jam. 1967 South Broadway at Bushwackers. If you've never been to Bushwackers, you're missing out on one of Denver's best "dive" bars. With a sunken bar, lounge chairs and an overall "Vegas Dive Lounge Gone Bad" character that must be seen. Two pool tables and a patio out back for the smokers. The staff are great, the drinks are cheap and plenty strong. One comment I read online in a review was "Psychedelic Biker Bar". Pretty cool.  If you ask me it's Jimi Hendrix meets Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack on Harley's. 


We don't have any illusions as the host band that we are great, although we hope to hone our set list for some serious blues entertainment and history, combining great song choices and solo talent with historical "where did this song come from" samples. Things like Led Zeppelin's Lemon Song turning into The Killin' Floor, which is where Jimmy Page took the riff from. Or Hendrix's Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) into Muddy Waters Rollin' and Tumblin, again, where Hendrix took the vibe from a medley of Rollin' Stone, Still a Fool and Rollin' and Tumblin'. 


Our goal is a quick opening set, then getting the jammers up and playing. No 45 minute to an hour opening sets for the hosts. We're jammers just like you. I know you want to play, so we get you up to do just that. Another thing. I know most of you work the next day and don't want to be out until 1am, so send me an email to let me know you want to get up early at kkiley@kmddi.com. I'll sign you up for an early set so you can get home at a reasonable hour but still get up and play every week. I know how it is to have to work the next day. Get in early and I'll get you up early. If you can hang out afterward and listen to the other jammers play, great, but if not, don't let that hold you back from coming down. We will accommodate!


I'm a rare blues jam host. I LOVE Blues Harp, so harp players are not just welcome here, but encouraged to come on down and join us. Nothing takes you down to the Delta or up to Chicago faster and easier then well played Blues Harp. Here's my first tip to new harp players at any jam: If you play harp, play between vocals, not on top of them. That's why harp players get such a bad rap. Playing all the time, especially over vocals. A harmonica is generally not a rhythm  instrument in the full backing sense, but a horn, so play as such. Let the guitar and  mostly the bass and drummer back the song up. Play horn stabs and solo when you're asked to, not all through the song.