From: Off Wall Street Jam Date: Monday, September 22, 2003 2:12 AM To: JAMMERS Subject: BULLETIN 9/22/3 "The Off Wall Street Jam's focus on youth goes beyond the Starving Artists. For the past two years, companies including Fortune Magazine and Gibson Guitar Corp. have sponsored the Band Together for New York series which features Jam member performances that help raise money for local schools to buy guitars, drums, basses, and amps." (Voices of Lower Manhattan 9/2/3) And don't forget the No Fogies special this month! http://www.owsj.com *******************contents********************** Introduction * Shows & Reviews ** Letters *** Special **** Weekly Schedule ***** Member Postings ****** Ask Dr Sharpley ========================================= * This week, our show is at Le Bar Bat on Thursday 9/25 starting at 7pm. Le Bar Bat is located at 311 W 57th Street, and the show is free to OWSJ members, or $10 cover. ========================================= In anticipation of next month's Birthday Bash Band Blowout, I'm warming up by playing in four bands! Judge Artie and the Barristers will hold court. We'll also have Myoot, the Who tribute Relay, the Michael Bly Band, Kamikaze Sutra, Hitsville, with a Motown Revue and the Steve Marshall Band plays till 3! ========================================= Last week's show at the Red Lion was musically, one of the best we've ever had there. Jesse Du bey opened the show mixing covers with original songs. Square Feet went the extra yard rocking with a long set. Hillbilly Mambo played a fun eclectic set that felt right at home at the RL. Next was Lolita who petulantly delivered a smooth, dynamic set which was well received. By comparison, the Bones were a bit brittle. ========================================= I promised I'd never say "Rocktober" again, but next month's schedule's already packed with shows starting Friday 10/3 at Le Bar Bat, Thursday 10/9 at Volumania XI at Downtime, and my Three Day Birthday Band Bash starting on Thursday, Oct, 16th at the Red Lion, followed by Friday, Oct. 17th at the Orange Bear, and culminating Saturday at Le Bar Bat! During these three day's of nothing but fun and music, I will attempt to set a new world's record by playing in more bands than anyone ever before. How will I do it you ask? See below. ========================================= ** Letters ========================================= Bill - In the event you are feeling put upon with regard to this "youth discount" thing, I think it is an excellent idea (both musically and in terms of business strategy) and I take no offense as a 35 yr old. I've been more than a little surprised at the vitriol directed at you on this issue. And the logic is odd too. Successful businesses strive to create a fair playing field for their customers? I have never heard that before, and don't even know what it means. The example cited doesn't support this assertion at all - the "Rothman-Patman" Act is a legal structure designed to prevent businesses from playing favorites - it is not some "best practice" of "successful businesses"! Moreover, comparing your particular marketing policies in a given month with the potentially predatory and anti competitive tactics of a multibillion dollar industry is just silly. Long live small business. Long live the youth discount. Hope I die before I get old. Mike ========================================= Bill, Another salvo from the "over 30" side in your ongoing debate (This in Friday's Financial Times) Greg "Music keeps the brain in tune By Jim Pickard September 12th Playing an instrument can go straight to a musician's head, scientists have revealed. A study has shown that practice and performance prevent a vital part of the brain from shrinking with age. Musicians in a leading British symphony orchestra were found to have an average of 15 per cent more grey matter than non musicians. Broca's area, the part of the brain involved, deals with memory, language processing and organisation. In most people, it loses volume as they get older. But the study found this did not happen as much in the musicians, whose ages ranged from 26 to 66. Scientists cannot say whether this means playing music might protect a person from age related diseases such as Alzheimer's." (And they're a cover band! Bb) ========================================= *** Special ========================================= While the debate rages on, time is running out on September's "No Fogies" Special! If you've been thinking about joining the Jam for awhile, but need that money for tuition, peanut butter and jelly, and your weekly metro card, now's the time! ========================================= Many people are surprised, and dare I say it, even incredulous when I tell them that my upcoming birthday is the big 5-0! but you know what? It doesn't mean a thing! We fear getting older, and the inevitable, but that's why we have Rock & Roll! ========================================= To prove it, I'm going to play in every band I can get in one, (well, three) rooms starting at the Red Lion on Oct 16th. I'm inviting: Abbey Road Kill, Banned Halen, Dan's Last Chance Blues Band, Door Jamb, Full Circle, G Rex, Judge Artie & the Barristers, Little Wing, The Local Heroes, The Michael Bly Band, Miller Time, The Petty Thieves, The Remulators, The River Boys, The Rocket Men, The Rolling Bones, The Sly Devils, Squeeze Play, The Steve Marshall Band, 3 Guys and Larry and any other band I've played in that I left out. Please join me for a birthday celebration of the music I love on Oct. 16, 17, & 18. The best gift you can give me is to sound good! You kids just try to keep up, ok? ========================================= **** Weekly Schedule ========================================= Monday, 9/22 Jazz Jam 6 to 10pm. ========================================= Wednesday, 9/24 The Beginners Jam, 6 to 10pm. This week's tip for beginners: Learn to use your microphone. As an "instrument", it's just as important as any other! a) Sing right into the mic to be heard b) "Lean back" if you raise your voice c) Don't point the mic into the speaker/monitor d) When speaking to the audience, leave spaces between your words so you can be understood ========================================= Thursday, 9/25 Jam Night at Le Bar Bat starting at 7pm ========================================= Friday, 9/26 The Blues Jam is from 6 to 10pm ========================================= Saturday, 9/27 The Rock Jam is from 4 to 8pm ========================================= All "Jams" are at the OWSJ at 47 Murray Street. "Jam Nights" are at selected clubs around Manhattan and are comprised of member bands who are rehearsed and perform a set of music. ========================================= ***** Member Postings ========================================= Hey Bill, This is Annie!!! I wanted to start my Brazilian band. I can play flute, some guitar, and sing, it would be cool to have a real Portuguese singer, but I can do the English and Spanish lyrics. Well, I need the basics: drummer, bassist, & keyboardist. take care, annie : 0 ) (Hey Annie! Great idea!!! Bb) ========================================= Furious Method, a rockin' band, needs a lead vocalist. ========================================= The MetroTones (a jazz trio featuring OWSJ's Ellen, Larry, and Larry) will be performing two sets of jazz and pop standards at Chez Suzette, a restaurant/cabaret on 9th Avenue between 46/47 Streets, on Wednesday 9/24 starting at 8:30 Or you can catch them at Kavehaz at its new location, 39 W. 26th St btw 6th and 7th Avenues, on Monday 10/13 for one set at 8. Please give them your support! ========================================= ****** Ask Dr Sharpley ========================================= Dear Dr Sharpley, I am trying very hard to become a better musician. I take lessons once a week, and practice quite a bit. I also go to jam sessions on a regular basis. Is there any thing else I should consider doing to accomplish this goal? Signed, Practice Makes Perfect ========================================= Dear Practice Makes Perfect, That is a good question, and an opportunity to present to you my "Seven Daily Habits of Successful Musicians". 1 Practice on a daily basis. 2 Take care of your instrument. 3 Always be in tune. 4 Listen to, and pay attention to other musicians. 5 Don't play any louder than you need to. 6 Give enough space to the others in your group. 7 Always show up on time. ========================================= Thanks for Playing, Bb@B#