Happy Jack Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 Around 15 years ago one of the best-loved jam sessions in West London was at the King's Head in Acton. By 2007 it had moved to the Drayton Court in West Ealing where it ran every Tuesday for several years. It finally moved one last time to the ghastly Tune Inn in Acton, but the period at the Drayton was such a clear peak and a favourite that the regulars still refer to the jam as "The Drayton Jam". Over 10 years later, I'm helping to organise and run a one-off Xmas Special ... the Drayton Jam Revisited, on Tuesday 28th December in that nice little lull between Xmas and New Year when nobody has any gigs. 😉 By sheer coincidence, that also happens to be the last day of my life before I become a pensioner. 😂😂😂 This is very much an OPEN EVENT for anyone to attend, whether as jammer or listener. These sessions were always a heap of fun, and it was always a very friendly crowd. Blues Jam sessions like this have also always been a great way to hook up with other musicians if you were looking to join/form/complete a band. Above all, a well-run Blues Jam is always entertaining. Whether the crew on stage are sublime, or a complete train wreck, it's always entertaining. Do come if you can. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zranyard Posted October 15, 2021 Share Posted October 15, 2021 If I'm around I'd love to come down, recently moved to London and I don't know many people here yet! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers_Williamson Posted November 28, 2021 Share Posted November 28, 2021 The Drayton is my local (former alumni include Ho Chi Minh). Have you got any details you could PM me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted November 28, 2021 Share Posted November 28, 2021 We've created this Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/HappyJackBass/posts/3148882842008286 For those not on FB, here is the text and image: Quote After over 10 years the famous Drayton Jam re-visits its old haunt ... for one night only. Full PA & backline supplied, quality House Band, even some of the original organisers. There will be a sound engineer on duty and volume levels will be sensibly controlled. Come to listen, come to play. If you don't have your instrument with you, just borrow one from the House Band. If you come solo then no problem, you can be 'matched' to other musicians to make sure that you get an opportunity. This was always one of the friendliest and most relaxed jam nights around, and that won't have changed. West Ealing is now MUCH easier to reach thanks to Crossrail ... fast Heathrow trains from Paddington every 15 minutes (last train back to Paddington at 2343 allegedly). Hope you can make it, @Piers_Williamson! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteb Posted December 1, 2021 Share Posted December 1, 2021 On 15/10/2021 at 15:25, Happy Jack said: Around 15 years ago one of the best-loved jam sessions in West London was at the King's Head in Acton. That used to be my local back in the 80s! I do like a decent blues jam - shame that they didn't start the jam there 20 plus years earlier... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted December 27, 2021 Author Share Posted December 27, 2021 Assuming that Bojo the Clown doesn't throw a cordon of SAS around the venue, this will be going ahead. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers_Williamson Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 Still planning to get down there 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 Excellent! Any Basschatters attending, do come and say hi to Jack and me - I'll be on duty behind the camera(s) and sharing the workload at the mixing desk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers_Williamson Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 I popped my head in at the bar just now, and they are expecting you! You can even try out my leftie bass Silvia. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 I went to school in The Avenue. The school has long gone (hooray), but it feels weird to go down that road!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted December 27, 2021 Author Share Posted December 27, 2021 36 minutes ago, Piers_Williamson said: I popped my head in at the bar just now, and they are expecting you! Just so long as they're not expecting us tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers_Williamson Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 don't panic! It's tomorrow 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers_Williamson Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 A big shout out to Happy Jack and Sylvia for all the hard work organising this and humping gear in and out last night. It was great to meet a few BassChatters in the flesh (and prove that this site is not one big conspiracy to buy more bass gear) and some really friendly band members too. Piers 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 Thanks Piers - the night went well beyond our expectations, everybody was friendly, there was some great music being played, and it was great to both see old faces after a long time and new faces joining 'the club', so to speak. I wish I could have had the time to play your lovely Wal a bit, but of course, and unsurprisingly, it was not to be - what with three cameras, a PA and the occasional technical glitch to take care of... We had @chris_b, @MacDaddy, @Piers_Williamson, @Happy Jackand yours truly from this parish - Basschat 'pwned' the place! 😉😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 Lefty Wal in the house. The drumkit has the Junkyard Dogs' name because the band were the organisers. None of the musicians on stage in this pic are currently in the band. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 Must admit to having had a splendid evening. I'd be up for another 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted January 1, 2022 Author Share Posted January 1, 2022 Many people have suggested making this an annual thing, and certainly that's possible, but it really is a helluva lot of work for me and @Silvia Bluejay. The Junkyard Dogs were happy to help out since not only were they formed out of that very jam but also we routinely rehearse on a Tuesday evening anyway, so that's all good, but for me and Silvie this is more work than an actual paid gig, with far less time on stage for me to compensate! Jury's out, mate. Mention it again during the Autumn and we'll see what happens. 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers_Williamson Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 I understand the b....s aching bit, but I did like that Ovation Bass 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted January 1, 2022 Share Posted January 1, 2022 @Happy Jack You're hard work was appreciated. Many thanks. All the best to you and @Silvia Bluejayin 2022. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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