Country Blues > Port Townsend Country Blues Workshop
Port Townsend 2011
Mike Brosnan:
--- Quote from: uncle bud on August 14, 2011, 07:22:17 PM --- Glad to see Mike Brosnan make it in the end as well, as younger-ish ;) talent like his should be encouraged.
I haven't seen any evaluation email yet which is surprising. I might have missed some stuff, but I would like to see some more solo/duo faculty performances in 204 in the evenings. They are great entertainment and learning experiences, and they also draw people to the building so they can play together. The faculty "superjams" are OK, though get a little over the top. I prefer a more intimate setting. Two people swapping tunes, or occasional duets/trios.
--- End quote ---
Aww shucks... Thanks, UB. I'll take "younger-ish". That works. :)
I agree about smaller jams/performances vs. "superjams". I don't necessarily feel that it's a good idea to encourage a dozen guitarists and a dozen harmonica players to all play the same three chords for the same 12 bars all at the same time. Then again, I am a bit of a curmudgeon... I do think the more intimate jams can be much more educational and I would've liked to see some more faculty performances throughout the week.
I think Jerron and Chaz's Jazz jam was the most successful big jam of the week. The faculty were the only ones that could really keep up with them, so it ended up being more of a performance than a jam. And it seemed like EVERYONE was loving it!
Johnm:
Hi all,
I'm sorry to be late to this de-briefing of this year's P.T. Blues Workshop, but I just got back from another camp in Maine today.
I had a great time at Port Townsend. My favorite thing there is definitely reuniting with old friends, but making new friends and deepening friendships are certainly not far behind. I had a tremendous amount of fun in the classes I did, and as always, I'm so thankful for how game people are, and willing to try anything. It's certainly a luxury to teach in an environment, too, where enough people are already deeply familiar with the music so that you don't feel like you have to pitch everything right over the heart of the plate. People seem to particularly welcome and enjoy working on the music of artists that they might not be familiar with previously, and similarly they welcome trying out new ideas and approaches to making the music. Of course, I reckon there is an element of self-selection going on with this, and that people gravitate towards the teachers and subject matter that appeal to them the most, which is as it should be. Anyway, thanks to all who attended my classes.
I was so glad Erwin Helfer was back on staff. It's always a treat to be around him and hear his music. I had some really fun sessions over the course of the week--a banjo evening with uncle bud, and a couple of sessions with Jerron Paxton, where we were switching off, trading banjo and fiddle back and forth, and a nice time with Guy Davis and Jerron taking turns playing Mike Brosnan's beautiful 12-string. Later that same evening, Jerron and I were joined by Lightnin' for one of the most fun Old-Time jams I've played in in years, with Lightnin holding down the guitar, and Jerron and me trading fiddle and banjo back and forth. Jerron and Lightnin' share an amazing recall of lyrics and many musical tastes. It really is amazing how much music Jerron has already heard and absorbed in his relatively brief time here--23 years (!). He really has down some of Uncle Dave Macon's 3-finger styles on banjo that almost no one, including really stellar Old-Time banjo players, do. And this is in addition to ace work on piano, fiddle and guitar.
It was great to hear how well people were playing and how quickly they picked the music up. Great to see all you pals.
All best,
Johnm
Johnm:
Hi all,
I forgot to express my particular thanks to Peter McCracken and Ruby Fitch for handling the myriad of details that are involved in putting on the event with such grace and skill. If you had a problem, they handled it, no muss no fuss. Thanks also to Corey Harris for making me part of the program at Port Townsend again.
Also, I forgot to mention earlier that Mike Brosnan sounded better on his twelve-string than any of the rest of us did.
All best,
Johnm
Mike Brosnan:
--- Quote from: Johnm on August 16, 2011, 08:51:12 AM ---Also, I forgot to mention earlier that Mike Brosnan sounded better on his twelve-string than Guy Davis, Jerron and I did.
--- End quote ---
You flatter me so, John. I respectfully disagree, but thank you nonetheless. :)
My favorite moment of that 12 string session was watching Jerron and Guy laugh in amazement as John played a beautiful lick up the neck in spanish tuning. Jerron kept asking John to play it again and reacted the same every time. Can't wait 'til next year....
uncle bud:
Just a reminder that the link to the workshop evaluation form has been sent out by Centrum and participants are strongly encouraged to fill it out.
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