Jam sessions throughout the year

For ten months of the year (all except July and August), Jazzworks organizes jam sessions on the third Thursday of the month. The jam sessions are now held at the Carleton Tavern 223 Armstrong Street at the corner of Parkdale Avenue right by the Parkdale Market in Ottawa. Jam venues occasionally change so check this sight for the latest info before venturing out. A host band starts things off by playing the first set, after which the floor is opened to all comers. Over the years many Jazzworks Workshop participants have participated in the host bands or in the jamming. The jam sessions provide a regular opportunity for Jazzworks workshop participants to continue to develop their skills during the year in a friendly and supportive environment, while enjoying each other's company and both hearing and making lots of good jazz. The jam sessions are also a great place to meet other musicians as participation is open to everyone who can play, not just Jazzworks workshop participants.

The jam sessions are ably coordinated by by multi-time summer workshop participant, Ian McMaster. Ian can be contacted by email by clicking ...

The Jazzworks jam sessions are open to the public.

Jamming Etiquette/Rules for a successful jam session

Sometimes beginning (and, occasionally, even experienced) jazz musicians have a tough time at jam sessions. Here are a few guidelines for a successful jam session: 10 Jazzbandments ... by Rob Frayne

Even folkies jam ... here are "Ten Commandments for a Folk/Roots Jam" by Jazz camper Roberta Huebener. Mostly all totally applicable to a jazz jam ... and a very entertaining read.

Jazzworks in the media

Ottawa journalist and jazz pianist Peter Hum has written on several occasions about Jazzworks in his blog, Jazzblog.ca.
You can read what he had to say about Jazzworks 2008
here
and here
and here
and here

John Kelman has written a lenghty article on Jazzworks 2009 on the AllAboutJazz webiste here