Tuesday Jam (s)

[drumminman]

Last night, Tuesday, I went to the open jam at Gulfport On The Rocks. I haven't been there in a while. What a good time I had. I got to play some tunes that I don't generally play and chat with some people I hadn't seen in a long time. The host, MikeeE, patrols with his sign-up sheet and pencil, and ensures that everyone gets to play. He's been hosting this for 8 years. Wow Mike, congratulations.
If you're not familiar with the place, it's on South Shore Drive, Gulfport across from the waterway. This house is about as "Florida Casual" as you can get. Tuesday night jam session and pool night. Plenty of action, laid-back atmosphere. I like to take a noise break, go across the street and walk out on the the pier, or sit on a bench for 10 minutes. There's a small beach, too.
One caveat: Parking. The Gulfport Casino is busy on Tuesdays, so parking is rough. Be prepared to walk a block or two. I don't know what time the Casino winds down, but getting there later than I did (9PM) might give you a better shot at a closer parking spot.

[drumminman]

Tuesday at Sportsters Bar. Well, I went to Sportsters to check out the jam session there. It was being hosted by Jerry Chase. The place should have been packed, but there only around 10 jammers when I got there after 10:30. I met a couple of people I didn't know (gotta network) and played for close to an hour. I had fun.
Sportsters is on Seminole Blvd in a shopping strip. (behind a Gyro shop) It is at the traffic light at the end of Walsingham road.

[drumminman]

July 12th. New Jam at Jimmy's Sports Bar. This venue is the former J.J.s, and Bitter End. Address 1200 Clearwater / Largo Rd. It's on the corner at Rosary Rd, just West of the Wild Indian.
This information is from the Tampa Bay Jam Sessions Face book page.
I'll check it out tonight and report back.
The host is T. Blue.

[drumminman]

O.K. Here's my report on the T.Blue jam. It ain't the best.
I arrived at Jimmy's Sports Bar at around 9:30. Nobody was playing. There was no drum set which was my primary disappointment. I left and went across the street to the Wild Indian for a while. I came back a half hour later and they were playing, but with no drum set for me to play there was no reason to stay.
Now to give the guy a break. It was the first night for this jam. I'm sure it will get better. "T" is a very polished pro who's been in the business for a long time.

[drumminman]

So, here I was at Jimmy's Sports Bar and there ain't much happening. I hear music from the Wild Indian. I walk over and see several familiar vehicles in the parking lot.
It's Jerry Chase running another open jam and that place was jumping. I didn't even know it was he was hosting that jam.
Jerry always attracts some of the best musicians in the area to his jams. Every time I go to one it's an education. I hear or play to songs that I don't really know and network with the quality of musicians that will actually work. Those are the main reasons I leave the house.
P.S. The Wild Indian also has a open jam on Wednesdays. See the Wednesday page.