hosted by Laurette Langille on 2nd Tuesday of each month
at The Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly, Bellingham 360-752-0848
Monthly Blues Invitational at Wild Buffalo,April 12, 2005
Laurette Langille and The Colonel were hosting the Buffalo Blues Invitational. A thoroughly enjoyable display of blues talent was on stage throughout, which in and of itself was reason enough to stick around...and enjoy. Plus, Laurette and the others made the experience "user friendly" to the players and the audience. And, the delight on the faces of all the players was evidence of their appreciation for John Goodman and Andy Koch bringing the jam back to the Wild Buffalo, and for the opportunity to see, talk with and/or make music with old and new friends. It was the best of vibes.
The talent: We got there after nine. Creatures of habit, we expected the jam to begin around nine. (EDITORS NOTE: Though the Wild Buffalo advertises that most shows begin at 9pm, their Monthly Blues Invitational actually begins at 8pm and ends at midnight.) We missed the first few players. I'm still kicking myself for getting there too late to hear Laurette tear it up. But we did hear "Texas" Jimmy and "Airplane" Dave Brown smoke the blues with some familiar faces. Dave Chapman was there on drums and Rick Baunach on harp. Later, The Colonel and his blue Strat took the stage with Dave Payne for a barrage of tasty blues, accompanied by Gary B on drums and a very entertaining and skilled Cindy Minkler on keyboards. Gypsy Lou Szepvolgi, Marvin Johnson and host of other talented players left no doubt that the good music would go into the night.
User friendly: A veteran player of blues jams from Southern California to Northwest Washington, I have some feelings about what makes a good jam. It's like there is delineation of "quality criterion" in my head that gets triggered for review when I walk into a blues club and hear a shuffle. I'd like to note that the folks at the Wild Buffalo, and especially Laurette, made short work of that little mental exercise for me. All of their ducks (cats and dogs) lined up perfectly! If I may be so bold, I'd like to share my thoughts in a little more detail on this subject:
Players come to blues jams at all levels of talent and experience. Fortunately for Bellingham blues lovers, there is a wealth of talent, known and unknown, in these parts. Regardless of individual scope of talent and experience, players are there playing for free. Many are sharing years of performing experiences and thousands of hours of practice. Most are giving this gift solely for the pleasure of making music with friends...and maybe a little recognition.
I noticed that at the Buffalo Blues Invitational, Laurette Langille introduced the players not only by first and last names, but often referred to the band(s) with whom they are affiliated. For many players, this clearly comminicates that recognition. Playing good blues is all about feeling. Being referred to as a "player" makes a player feel like a player. Being referred to as a "jammer" doesn't. Before taking the stage, hearing one's first and last name makes a player feel like a player. Hearing only one's first name makes one feel like he/she is about to get up and sing a Neil Diamond song in a karaoke bar...a fate worse than death for most blues performers. A good intro is a great thing. Laurette gave superb intros!
Players' delight: I would bet that you could have asked any of the players who were there Tuesday Night to share memories of their favorite past blues experiences, and each could produce a long list. On that list, the Wild Buffalo would be noted frequently, as would the names of many of the other players present on Tuesday, April 12th. Here's part of my list:
- I've watched Texas Jimmy hone his guitar and vocal skills over the last few years, mostly at the Buffalo. He just keeps getting better. But the thing that strikes me most about Jimmy is his incredible ability to make people feel welcome and happy.
- I was a junior at Bellingham High School in 1970 when Rick Baunach was a senior. In 1996 I saw him blow the harp at a jam at what was then "Cosmos". I asked him if Lynn Pigg (Lynn and I started our first band in 1965) was still playing drums. Shortly thereafter, I joined Lynn's band for about three years. Through Lynn I met John Daniel. Through John I met George Clark. Through George I met Dave Cashin and Dave Payne (Fat James Band), Rob Moitoza (Nick Vigarino & Meantown Blues), Adrian Clarke, Scotty Harris and John Fricke. Thanks Rick!
- I first met Marvin Johnson several years ago at the Buffalo. What a character! I recall thanking God that there was still a keyboard player who's sense of NW Washington R n'B history ensured the ever-presence of a Hammond B3 Organ with a Leslie Speaker. Now I thank God that Marvin was there last year to get that B3 and Leslie sound on the last Cathouse Blues Band CD. I should note that his piano work on These Friends of Mine on the same CD was terrific, too.
- I recalled the first time Gypsy Lou and I met Jim Lowry at a Buffalo blues jam. Dude whipped out a fretless bass and with Lou and others proceeded to blow my blues-lovin' mind! A month later Jim, Lou, George and I first appeared as the Cathouse Blues Band at the Buffalo. That night, Lloyd Peterson invited us to play at the 2002 Mt. Baker Blues Festival. Playing at the Wild Buffalo can lead to very good things!
- Three years later I was at Kevin Short's wake, sad and broken, thinking the Cathouse Blues Band died with Kevin and that my singing career was over. James Taylor, Phil Sotile, Craig O (Howlin Wood), David Weiss, Gypsy Lou and others were playing and singing rock, blues and gospel tributes to Kevin. Seeing "Airplane" Dave and Gary B Tuesday Night reminded me of how splendidly they, Pat McFarland and Johnny B played Rock Me Baby, Dust My Broom and She's 19 Years Old and so graciously asked me to come up and sing my goodbye to Kevin. Those guys all have big talent...
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Monthly Blues Invitational
held at the
Wild Buffalo
the second Tuesday of each month
