Wednesday's 7-30 Tin Star Jam

When I arrived at the Tin Star last night, Laura was practicing her deer in the headlights impression.

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to a music link.

Shortly after 9:00, we counted 23 musicians in the room.
We had guitars.


We had horns.
Little ones:


Big ones:


And we had several other sizes in between. In fact, between the three of us sax players who showed up last night we had nearly the entire saxophone family represented. Lance, pictured above with his 1933 Marine Corps-issue B-flat soprano also had an alto with him. I had my 1923 Conn C-melody nickle-plate and a 1970's-vintage Buscher-400 tenor. Georges is pictured above with his Selmer S-80 bari.

We also had a couple of trumpet players:

First, we all put our names down on the sign-up sheet.

Then, we tuned.


Then we played some music.


Yolanda graced the stage for a number.


Tony Buford led us on Stand By Me.


Miguel, one of the staff of expert servers at the Tin Star performs a QA inspection on someone's drink prior to dispensing it.



Throughout the evening (which went on until 1:30am, btw) there was plenty of time to socialize, enjoy the music, dance, and relax with a beverage.


Folks gathered around to listen to a few classical pieces by Maurice.

A little behind-the-back Concerto, anyone?


A few moderately famous people were enjoying the jam last night. Actor Sam Shepard, star of The Right Stuff, King Kong, and other movies took a spin on the dance floor.


Mike Chaves, drummer for local band Felix Y Los Gatos and an acquaintence.


Gordy's dog.


As well as other moderately famous people, too numerous to mention.

Later in the evening, around midnight the bar again was near capacity. Where do these people come from at this time of night?


Los dos Primos. Ben introduces Daniel.


Daniel's playing was all it took to get some of the ladies bumping butts.


We finally wrapped up around 1:30 after Gordy led a few numbers.

Good job on packing the Tin Star jam one more time, everyone!

--Doug

Wednesday's Tin Star Jam

The post for last night's jam will be up later today.

--Doug

This week at the Tin Star

Hey everybody -- here's what's happening at the Tin Star this week.

Wed. July 30th TIN STAR JAM 9pm No Cover

Thurs. July 31st Rhythm & 53rd (Rock/Blues) 9:30pm $3 Cover

Friday August 1st THE JAKES (Classic Rock) 9:30pm $5 Cover

Sat. August 2nd KEN VALDEZ (Funk/Rock) 9pm $5 Cover

Sun Aug. 3rd TIN STAR Dance Party with Sterling O'Neill Band - 7pm $5 Cover

Also, a big thanks to everybody who came out to the Tin Star jam last Wednesday. It was SRO and rock'in from about 10:30 - on. Check out the post, maybe you'll see a picture of yourself:
http://tinstarmusic.blogspot.com/2008/07/wednesdays-7-23-tin-star-jam.html

Hope to see you all back again this week.

--Doug

Tom Bodean at the Tin Star last night

The music was fine at the Tin Star Saloon last night. Tom Bodean and his group were chill'n.

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to a music link.

Here's one of their numbers from early in the evening, with Prakash joining on harp.


Tom Bodean.


Dave Clausen.


Case Tanner.


Mark McKenna.


There are at least two musicians and a bartender in this picture: can you pick them out?


The place was quiet, but not too quiet.


A bit later they had me back up to do Route 66.

There was a guest star in the house last night, Felix Peralta of Felix Y Los Gatos.

Tom invited him up, and Case led off with Ain't No Sunshine, one of my favorites. I couldn't resist joining in.


Thanks everybody for some fine music last night.

--Doug

Wednesday's 7-23 Tin Star Jam

Ben's Tin Star jam just gets bigger and better each week. It was nearly standing-room only for much of the evening. A bunch of musicians and a bunch of dancers showed up last night. I'll try and pass on the flavor of the evening.

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to a music link.

Local musician George Adelo dropped by early on to check out the jam.


We didn't waste any time kicking off the evening's music. Our friend Juan Ortega led us right off on this happy number.


Then we had a nice quiet number, led by "dban", whose voice reminds me of a young Dylan. Prakash on the mouth harp, Ben Bower on Drums, Pete on guitar. I didn't catch the bass player's name.


And then, Brad took out the brand new guitar he had just finished making earlier this week. It had not been played yet. Check out this smokin' blues number with Brad, Ray, and Ben on guitar, Brit on drums, Phil Montoya on percussion, and Elijah on conga and vocals . Elijah came all the way up from Silver City to play last night.

Of course, there were a bunch of other musicians who played last night.

Also featured, naturally, is our number one server: Laura. What do you suppose she just did to Ben here? Something unexpected, it would appear.

Here she is striking a model's pose.


Also present were plenty of people who had come out to have a beverage, listen and dance to the music.

Sometimes all three at once.


The dance floor was packed from about 11:00pm on.

As you can see, the Tin Star Wednesday jam is a fun place to be. Hope you can make it there next week.

--Doug

Later This Week

Everybody, here's what's on at the Tin Star later this week:

Wednesday: Ben Lucero's Master Jam. 9:00pm. Come on out -- let's pack the joint again!
Thursday: The Tom Bodean Trio - Blues, Jazz. 9:00pm, $3 cover. I will be there photographing and recording for a blog post.
Friday: Tijerina - Rock/Blues. 9:30pm, $5 cover.
Saturday: Don Currey and Pete Springer - Classic Rock. 9:00pm, $5 cover.
Sunday: Special Event: Tin Star Dance Party with The Sterling O'Neill Band (dance). 7:00pm, $5 cover.

--Doug

High Altitude

Reports are pouring in that High Altitude kicked *ass* last night at the Tin Star.

Where are those assistant blog reporters when you need them?

So much music, so little time. Maybe I should ask my boss for a raise? Come'n Ray: how about a big, fat raise? How about, say, doubling my salary?

;-]

--Doug

Weekend Music

Sincere apologies to Ben Lucero and Y.Que -- I had planned on going to their Friday night gig at the Tin Star, but due to circumstances beyond my control (i.e. my ass was positively dragging from staying up late Wednesday and Thursday) I went to beddie-bye instead, at about the time they were probably starting.

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to the music.

So, on to Saturday night. Nora McMahon and Case Tanner had a gig at Backroad Pizza,

and here's what they opened with.

Nora's trio was actually a quatro last night: Russell joined the band on trumpet.

Later, a number with all of us joining in. Then, at the end of the gig we found ourselves taking a ride on the Case Train.


It was still early, so we wandered across the street to Second Street where The Swank was playing.

There must be some reason why Swank's front man is called Flash, but I can't quite put my finger on what it might be.

Seriously, we tried everything to take the red-eye out, but even the red-eye reduction software left Flash looking like he had a pair of green glass marbles instead of eyes, so we decided to leave the red in. It's actually kind of impressive, and this way his eyes go pretty will with the guitar strap, don't you think? Click on one of the pictures above for the full effect.

My friend Bobby Mogill was invited to sit in with them. Bobby always sounds great.

Flash and the rest of the Swank were kind enough not to toss me out of the bar when I got up to join them. Here's a nice blues piece we did together.


Thanks for letting me sit in, guys!

--Doug

Tonight and Tomorrow

A reminder,

Ben Lucero's band, Q.Que is playing tonight at 9:30 at the Tin Star -- they have a great Latin fusion sound. And tomorrow Nora McMahon http://noramcmahon.com/, Case Tanner, and I will be playing at Backroad Pizza starting at 7:00pm.

--Doug

Thursday Music

Last night's Tin Star Saloon music actually started out a few miles east of 411 W. Water Street.

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to the music.

El Farol


Canyon Road is pretty at night.


Tony Buford and Brandy Herbert were setting up to do a mostly-jazz venue when I got to El Farol.


Here's one of their numbers. They have a nice sound -- you should get out to El Farol and listen to them next time.



After a bit I packed up and wandered on down to the Tin Star to visit with my friends Mike Montiel (http://www.parrot-farm.net/~roberts/Lucky-13/) and Bobby Glenn.


Laura, of course, was glad to see me for the third night this week.


I really enjoy playing with Mike's trio. We immediately got cranking on Two Tickets to Paradise.

It turned out that one of my LANL colleagues was sitting at the bar. Good to see you again, Saundra.


Another sax player friend of mine showed up, and we talked him in to sitting in with the Trio for a number. Nice job, Jim.


Thanks everybody for letting me share in your music!

Until next time,

--Doug

Wednesday's 7-16 Tin Star Jam

It was a slam last night. The Tin Star was hopping -- lots of music, lots of dancing, and a couple of surprise guests.

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to the music.

Some of last night's visitors:



Ben made another new friend.


I've always thought that women looked good in chaps, Michelle.


Laura was poetry in motion, as usual. Here's a bit of Tom Kendrot's The Wonder that we were playing when this picture was taken.


Our friend Craig Small showed up -- we have not seen him at the Tin Star in a while. Here's a bit of the fast shuffle he's leading us on here.


Dancers!


Finally, a lady named London who was visiting from Santa Barbara stepped up to the mic and rocked us with this number.


See you next time,

--Doug

Some music recommendations

Here are a few suggestions for where to go to listen to some good music during the rest of this week in Santa Fe:

1. Wednesday: The Tin Star Jam! Many of the local pros show up to play at the Tin Star each Wednesday evening. Come on by & check it out. 9:00. The bar will be packed from 10:00 'til closing, guaranteed.
   
2. Thursday: The Mike Montiel Trio will be playing at the Tin Star, 9:00. Blues, R&B, plus some of Mike's original music. Check out more of Mike's music at the "Mike Montiel Lucky 13" link on the right side of this page.
   
3. Thursday: Tony Buford and Brandy Herbert at El Farol. 8:30. Blues, R&B.
   
4. Saturday: Nora McMahon, Case Tanner, and me: Backroad Pizza, 7:00. Blues, jazz.
   

--Doug

PS: As an added incentive to coming out to Backroad Pizza Saturday evening, not only do they make really good pizza, they have Chicken Killer barleywine on tap...

Wednesday's 7-9 Tin Star Jam

There were a bunch of happy people at the Tin Star last night.

Click any picture to enlarge, click the play button to listen to the music.

And why not? The music was good, the drinks were great, and dogs are allowed!


Ben, as usual, did a terrific job of keeping the jam running smoothly.


And there was lots of music.


And, of course, there were Laura and Miguel making sure we did not run dry.


And dancing feet.

Here's a bit of the music those feet were dancing to: A blues number that Tony Buford led us on.

There was lots more good music that happened last night. When I get a chance I'll put a few more sound bites up.

Later,

--Doug

Ok, it's now later (a whole day later). Here are a couple of additional grooves that got set up last Wednesday. Some serious trumpet by Russ on this one, and a bit of Jaunita, Sweet Chaquita.

Tom Bodean Trio at Second Street

Case Tanner invited me to come sit in with the Tom Bodean Trio when they were playing a few weeks ago at the Tin Star, but I was not able make it that evening. Last night I had the pleasure of sitting in with them for a few numbers at Second Street. Here's their closing number, One For My Baby. A little earlier in the evening the Trio (plus 2) did an old Charles Brown blues piece, Black Night.

Click a play button to listen, or click a link to download the mp3.

The next time Tom's group plays at the Tin Star I'll do a full blog post.

--Doug

Nora McMahon at the Tin Star this Thursday

Come on out tomorrow night to see Nora and Case (and me, if I get back from my motorcycle trip in time). Starting 9:30-ish.

--Doug

Post for Last Wednesday's 2-Year Anniversary Jam

There was a special appearance of the Jersey Guys at the Tin Star Jam. Long time friends of owner Ray Dera, they dropped in for the 2 Year Anniversary of the Tin Star Saloon's opening. Left to Right: Gene Fenton, Pat Fenton, Dave Remes, Joe Fenton, and Ray Dera.