We Try Again With The Jam Bands

The Narrows is unafraid to fight for great music, even when the going gets rough.

Some of the best musicians on the circuit are those playing in what are often termed "jam bands." Essentially, these are bands that feature extensive musical virtuosity, often delving into jazz or Phish or Grateful Dead-like soloing.

The Slip, which has its base near Fall River, is the most successful jam band--in terms of attendance--that has played the Narrows, selling out (if memory serves) every show. The guys in the band are top-notch players and excellent showmen to boot. We also like them on a personal level. We'll book 'em as much as possible.

But other great jam bands have not nearly been as successful. Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, for example, is a personal favorite of your humble blogger. I even have their bumper sticker on my car ("A True Patriot Questions Our Lying Government"). But, damn, we can't get the attendance their vast talents deserve.

But we're going to keep trying because as a non-profit center for the arts, it's not all about the dollar. So on August 19th we're bringing back jam banders "Roots of Creation," who actually did reasonably well last time they visited. We hope they do even better this time out.

If you dig music, particularly improvisational music, we ask that you seriously take a look at what's going on in the jam band scene, and consider becoming part of it through attending the Roots of Creation show. One jam band resource is www.jambase.com, which has a lot of stuff about the wide range of groups making up the scene.

We'll do our best through this blog and the Narrows website to provide as much information as possible so you'll be an educated music consumer about jam bands and other types of music.

Thank you for supporting the Narrows! Spread the word!