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“Guiding and directing the free flow of improvisational music.”
Phlume's IMPROV Jam
Every Wednesday night at Bourbon's in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
[Jam] [Images] [Audio] [Lyrics & Chords]
"Matt, Thank you for the write up in The Wire on our Jam. We really appreciate you helping us to spread the word."
-Chad Fillion
To read the article I am talking about, go to This Page
Perhaps you've seen the posters around town. Or maybe you have spoken to another musician and heard the rumors. There is also a chance you have just stumbled here by chance. Either way, you're at the home page of the Improvisational Jam night for the Summer of 2008 in Portsmouth New Hampshire. A first of it's kind on many levels: It is a first for Chad (Owner of Phlume Artist Management) to be hosting and performing in a weekly show. It is a first for Bourbon's to host an event such as this on a weekly basis at their establishment. And quite possibly a first for Portsmouth for an evening of music or an open mic to exist like this. Or maybe not, but it is still a cool idea and it is happening NOW!
The concept is quite simple ...
Local musicians with varying ranges of talent and musicianship are invited to join us with their instruments and ideas for an all out improvisational jamboree in the truest sense of the terms. No notes. No practices. No rules. Perhaps a few e-mails back and forth with ideas. But come the day of the event, The musicians are going to take the stage and truly "Wing It".
Of course if you want to play solo you could do that, and we will try to accomodate. But if you're ripping into the sweetest "Sweet Thing" by Van Morrison, someone may love Van the Man and join in for the chorus, Or even over power your voice belting it out like they do in their car thereby drowning out your performance. Relax. It's o.k. That is what community jam nights are about. Remember, this is not an Open Mic. It is a free-form Improv Jam. Full bands are welcome to come and perform as well, but you will have guest musicians playing with you so be preparred to teach your tunes, or open up the microphones for those covers. If you plan on bringing a lot of equipment with you PLEASE try and be here at 8 so we can make room on stage. If you do come down with your group after the music has started, the music will not stop to give you time to sound check and set up. Set up and break down is to be done quietly and quickly while the stage is "ON".
Our hopes are that the shows will, in time, become a mind blowing experience and a free form fusion of Jazz, Jam, Bluegrass, Rock, Folk and Funk music that can entice musicians, fans and dancers on many different levels. We ask that you bring your Ideas, Voice, Bass, Keyboards, Horns, Percussion instruments, Violins, Banjos, Mandolins and any other instrument you might want to play, and join in on the fun. We will make EVERY attempt to have a drum set on site so you don't have to lug yours in to sit in and play. We may even be lucky enough to have a sound man on hand to help us plug in and make the night that much better.
O.K. SO there are a few small, but important rules...
Rule 1.
Be nice... No egos. Book your own gig to play THAT card.
In order for this to remain relaxed, low key, fun and entertaining for everyone, we ask that any musician planning on performing on the stage come with an open mind and a kind heart to all those wishing to play. Not everyone is as talented as you so please make them feel at home. No one "Owns" the stage. Everyone playing will do so with the understanding that at any time, anyone playing anything, can come up on stage and perform. On Wednesdays it is about the Tunes, not necessarilly the talent. We ask that all egos are left outside.
Rule 2.
For those looking to goof off and be rude ... this is not the place.
Everyone most certainly may play and/or sing along, HOWEVER, if you are obnoxiously singing the incorrect song, slam banging and destroying the groove, or simply being a jack-ass and tattering the atmosphere, you will be asked to sit down. No one is allowed to purposly intrude or destroy performances. Again it is about the TUNES ... not being beligerant stage monkeys.
Rule 3.
Make sure YOU are having fun AND those around you are having fun.
It will defeat the purpose if there are a handful of musicians playing tunes that are way too complex for some to join in on. Granted, some compositions that will be awesome to perform will be harder than others, but a full night of that will quickly deter from the mission of the evening. Mix it up. Simple is good. Complex is good too, but too much of a good thing is still TOO MUCH.
So thats it. All that is left is for you to come on down and join in on the fun. Of course you can just watch us all have a great time and come down for a few drinks or some awesome ribs (Bourbon's serves food until 10 PM from the upstairs restaurant The Muddy River). Maybe you might even hop up on stage and do a little karaoke style singing with us. And there will always be a suggestion sheet to add your thoughts to the mix, or if you have ideas, questions or comments, please E-mail them to me. See you there!
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Site © 2007 Phlume Artist Management. All Rights reserved
“The Trick Is To Surrender To The Flow”
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