PORT TOWNSEND — The Midnight Train Blues Band’s long-running blues jam is back.
Originally billed as “Chicago Bob’s Gently Amplified Blues Jam,” the outdoor event welcomes musicians from around the area, from guitarists to ukulelists to harmonica players and beyond. Chicago Bob Longmire and the Midnight Train Blues Band provide a lead with guitar, harmonica, piano, organ, blues fiddle, bass and percussion, while jam participants add in anything from flutes to flugelhorns.
The first jam of the season is set for 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. this Sunday on the patio at Discovery Bay Brewing Co. The brewpub, at 948 N. Park Ave., will be the place for monthly blues jams through September, Longmire said. There’s no admission charge and the jam is family friendly, he added.
“Everything is welcome,” in terms of instruments, he said. “Unlike most open mikes, musicians are invited to play along with every song in the whole performance.
“The blues jam has become part of Port Townsend’s active musical scene, with musicians and audience enjoying the event equally well.”
“Songs are run with plenty of room for guest solos, and singers are welcome to choose from the long list of blues standards,” he continued. “The songs are fun and yet familiar. It’s a great way to dust off those amps and practice in a practical live setting, and to meet some really talented people. Several very cool combos have formed from the Port Townsend blues jam, friendships and connections of all kinds.”
The jam hosts “even have ways to keep multiple amps from getting too loud, mainly by sitting musicians right in front of their amps for their own clear audio,” Longmire said.
At the same time, all voices and acoustic instruments are welcome, and usually cluster a bit farther from the main speakers. An extra microphone is provided for guest vocals or harmonicas.
More information about the jam is available at chicagobob.org/#PTBlJam while Longmire can be reached at bob@longmire.org.
