Jam with the Band
Monday Night Hang gets new location, stays cool
NICK MACMAHON VOLUNTEER STAFF
The Freehouse in Osborne Village abruptly shut down recently, a rude awakening for regular attendees of the legendary “Cool Monday Night Hang” jazz-jam. When I heard that the jam’s new location would be Buccacino’s Restaurant, I was thrilled to discuss the new setup and jazz in general with the Hang’s creator, U of M’s own director of jazz studies and bass virtuoso Steve Kirby.
Comparing the Freehouse to a barn or airplane hangar, Kirby couldn’t be happier with the new venue. Buccacino’s is small, intimate and cozy, lending itself well to better acoustics and passionate conversation with friends, which is what jazz improvisation is all about — “talking with notes and listening to each other,” as Kirby said. A former resident of New York (the jazz capital of the world), Kirby offered his stamp of approval, insisting that “there’s probably not a jazz club in New York as friendly as Buccacino’s.”
To appreciate jazz, you don’t have to be a rich, old white man sporting a tux, lighting your fine cigars with $20 bills. Kirby explained that “there will be people who have never heard of jazz in the audience and people that have extensive collections.” The financial brackets range from “ . . . people that [are] pretty down on their luck . . . ” all the way to the wives of the rich, old white men in tuxes, notably Babs Asper (wife of the late Izzy — a passionate jazz fan and financial supporter).
The rest of the audience consists of musicians seeking out new influences and jazz musicians honing their craft. “It’s a really unique learning, teaching atmosphere. You’re in public, you immediately try out on the public a concept that was taught to you and you’re being coached,” said Kirby. His mission is to break down the walls that the demographic mentality put up: “‘We’re the 18-24s so we gotta hang together.’ I think that’s just rubbish,” he said.
Kirby attributes the Hang’s popularity over regular jazz shows to the participatory aspect. “If you don’t like who’s playing at Buccacino’s, wait around and see who else is going to play. If you don’t like them, then go up yourself and show him how to do it. Any given night, you’re never going to get the same performance.” What is the sound of one hand clapping? Well, applause provides nourishment for aspiring, amateur musicians, giving them enough confidence and inspiration to feed on for the week . . . until the next jam. You’re shaping people’s lives just by showing up.
Remember that just because jazz doesn’t have the same popularity as rock/pop doesn’t mean that there is no demand for it. Jazz artists may not be selling out the MTS Centre, but as Kirby explained to me, people should have the option to choose jazz instead of the pop that rules the radio. At some point in the history of the biz, radio stations were created, separating each style of music. Advertisers quickly discovered that those who listened to jazz, classical, and folk weren’t exactly compulsive spenders, so businessmen shied away from advertising for those stations, which is why jazz and classical music have difficulties with funding today. If you’re new to jazz, the Hang will give you an honest representation of it. Beware of our city’s radio station, which shall go unnamed, that tries to pass itself off as jazz. As Steve contested “right now, our jazz station doesn’t play one jazz song . . . it’s not even elevator jazz. It’s R&B.”
The third anniversary of the Monday Night Hang, on March 26, is an opportunity to exercise your free will, to shake your fist at the corporate monsters who prey on our trend-obsessed, consumerist ignorance.
The $10 cover is a modest price, as jazz drummer Terreon Gully will be in the house. He wowed crowds at last year’s Smart Park Jazz Concert at the Max Bell Centre. He’s not your typical jazz drummer, as he’s mastered an eclectic array of styles ranging from hip hop to Afro-Cuban. Lauryn Hill and Sting have both sought out his talents. Alongside Steve Kirby on bass, Gully will be joined by the house band’s talent — the shred guitar god Larry Roy, the soothing vocals of Anna-Lisa Kirby, and the keyboard sensation Will “Boy Wonder” Bonness.
To make your experience more enjoyable — here’s the basic format of jazz if you’re new to it: 1. Some instruments will play the tune’s melody. 2. Most of the band will then each improvise a solo, using the chords and melody of the song as the framework, as other members respond musically to what the soloist is doing, like a conversation. 3. Finally, they all play the main melody again to wrap up the song. 4. You clap, offering the musician some life support; or you can boo. Both responses send the musician home to the practice shed — the mentality of a true artist.
Monday Night Hang’s third anniversary bash is on March 26 at Buccacino’s in Osborne Village.
