Today's column
There is a special place in my heart for bars with improv jams and regular open-mike nights.
This week, I reviewed the Red House Tavern's weekly acoustic open mike night.
It wasn't half bad.
Back in college, I played organ in an instrumental jazz fusion trio.
We played open mikes at the 8x10 when it was the Funk Box, Leadbetter's (you should have seen the look on the guy's face when we dragged a drum set into that place for an open-mike night) and the Full Moon Saloon.
I'll share some Full Moon memories sometime soon. That was a weird night.
The point is, open-mike nights might not always be that fun to sit through, but they can be really important in cultivating the local music scene.
And I'm glad to see that alive and well at the Red House.
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
I bet you played an organ back in college
Posted by: JD | April 17, 2008 8:59 AM
"Back in college, I played organ in an instrumental jazz fusion trio."
I've read brilliant sentences, then I've read this today. Speechless.
Posted by: GMan | April 17, 2008 9:48 AM
Wow! The Sessa musical past is finally revealed. I wouldn't have guessed your instrument of choice was an organ.
I see you as more of a drummer. You know, the quiet guy in the back that's driving the beat of the band. Boy, was I wrong!
Posted by: Courtney B. | April 17, 2008 10:05 AM
I'm adding this location to the Red tour --- someday I'm going to hit Red Maple, Red Star, Red Fish, Red House Tavern and Red Emma's, perhaps in the opposite order. MIght even squeeze in Red Canoe. Did I miss any?
Posted by: dancing monkey | April 17, 2008 10:24 AM
Courtney, the Sessa musical past actually starts with the accordion and veers into singing and then ends on organ and electric piano. It's a long story, but if you really wanna hear it I'll tell you sometime.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | April 17, 2008 10:34 AM
If I told them once, I told them a hundred times: put “Sam Sessa Jazz Fusion Trio” first and “Puppet show” last
At least you had the bigger dressing room
Posted by: Ted | April 17, 2008 11:17 AM
So you were the organ-grinder, huh? Always pegged you for being the monkey.
Posted by: Edward Stankhaus, Jr. | April 17, 2008 1:18 PM
The accordion???? This is REALLY getting interesting now.
I'd like to hear the whole chain of your musical life...over some adult bevs.
Shall we meet at Don't Know in Fed Hill? The beer is on me. How's THAT for an offer?!
Posted by: Courtney B | April 18, 2008 12:39 AM
I Don't Know, Courtney ... Zink!
Posted by: Sam Sessa | April 18, 2008 9:39 AM
Sam, a/k/a Mr. Smarty Pants,
A simple "Yes" or "No" would have been just fine.
Posted by: Courtney B | April 18, 2008 10:44 AM