The Paris Blues Society Proudly Presents
BLUE THURSDAY BLUES JAMS

Jam schedule on the calendar page

Our blues jam goal is to provide a fun evening of playing and raising awareness of the blues.  Also, it is a chance for musicians to perform on stage that don't normally get a chance to play together.  We provide the musicians and the public with a place to try your/their skills before a live audience. We simply ask that you attempt to play in the vein of what is called by the host band or front guy.

We want everyone that can play to get a chance to play, so be courteous of fellow jammers and be ready to go when you are called up. This is really about playing together and growing in our knowledge of the blues idiom.

The jam host band is a mix musicians brought together for the specific purpose of hosting the Paris Blues Society blues jams.  The host band features Chad Altenbaumer on lead guitar and vocals, Chris Lancaster on drums (both from the Triptones – Paris Blues Society’s representative in the International Blues Competition in 2008), and Staley Rogers on bass…   all, playin', old school, down and dirty blues for your pleasure!  Come join in the fun and play the BLUES with us. You'll have a swell time!

.The Paris Blues Society appreciates your support!

Musician Guidelines:

Jammers will sign up on a list available at the side of the stage.

Sign up order DOES NOT determine your order of performance.  Asking when you go on more than once is discouraged.

If you're outside when we call you up, don't despair. We'll do our best to work you in later.

If  you are going to play, please don't drink to excess prior to going on stage.  It will reflect in your playing and you will be limited to one tune or less.

We will strive to put players up together that can compliment their band mates and provide entertainment for the paying audience. NO jam is successful that does not please its audience.

A jam is about playing as an ensemble. This IS NOT about your solo time. Please make eye contact and follow the queues given by the host band or front man. Everybody that wants a solo will have that chance. 

Please pay attention to stops and ending queues!

Players are expected to be tuned to an electronic tuner that is calibrated to A-440, PRIOR to going on stage. This assures that when you hit the stage, you'll be in pitch with the rest of the band.

Songs will be called by the host band unless you know a specific blues song, by name and know ALL the lyrics and can sing/play it in key.  If the host band knows a version of it, they be glad to back you. If you intend to count it off, the host band will be following that count.... not what you change to when you start the song, if different from your initial count.

Rock oriented blues, as some call it, is discouraged, as we are a BLUES SOCIETY and are carrying the torch of the original blues idiom. There are 1000s of songs that are blues tunes we can play, without having to resort to rock. There is nothing wrong with rock, mind you, please just not at our blues jams.  If it was originally recorded after about 1965, we probably won't be doing it. Modern versions of earlier original artists tunes that you KNOW ALL the lyrics to, will work. We'll be doing a cover of the original for backing, that'll sound fine.

Time constraints preclude taking requests from the audience. Thanks for your understanding.

If we don't know it, we'll tell you and choose another tune.

The Host band will always be the first to perform.

Jammers will be called up to play with the host band members in their respective instrument positions.

Jammers will most likely be asked to play 3 to 4, less than five minute songs, to be determined by time constraints.  

Amps are provided. If you have an instrument, bring it. If you can play blues but have no guitar with you, one of ours will be provided for your performance time use. Unfortunately, we cannot provide horns, harps, keyboards, etc. So it's best to BYOI.  Drummers please bring your own sticks.  Please respect others ownership and don't mistreat the gear. PLEASE! : DO NOT UNPLUG THE INSTRUMENT FROM THE AMP WHILE AMP IS ON (red light glowing is your hint). This can do extensive damage in several ways.   When your turn on stage is over, please turn the volume on the instrument completely down and leave the instrument leaning against amp. The host will announce your name and ask for applause for your performance. This is your queue (cue) to leave the stage in a timely fashion. We'll be  bringing up new players at that time.  **REMEMBER**: THIS IS NOT YOUR GEAR and is quite expensive to own and maintain.

The sound levels will be preset for proper EQ in the room. DO NOT CHANGE THE AMP SETTINGS, PERIOD. If more vocal volume is needed for a weaker singer, the jam coordinator will be monitoring this in the first song and make corrections.  Please cooperate with this rule. Overly loud will be turned down by the jam coordinator.  NO EXCEPTIONS, PLEASE! We're here to entertain the paying audience for the entire evening, not send them packing early, with ringing ears.  It's ensemble style, not your style.

Whole bands that may show up will need to see the the jam coordinator for play schedule. We generally do not surrender stage to whole bands as THIS JAM IS NOT A BAND SHOWCASE, NOR CLUB AUDITION NIGHT.  It's an INVITATIONAL BLUES JAM. We reserve the right to split full bands to play with the host band. 

Thank you all for your cooperation with these guidelines. We can all have a good time while following these simple rules. Failure to do so will result in a short set. No Exceptions.

Your continued attendance and support is greatly appreciated by the Paris Blues Society.