Happy 2024! I hope you all had a lovely holiday season, and I look forward to making music with you in the coming year. With the New Year come a few changes to our ‘ukulele jams. Here are the most important things to know …
‘Ukulele Jam Description
Both the online and the in-person ‘ukulele jams I host bring together players from a variety of backgrounds. Musical experience, and years playing the ‘ukulele, is one of many factors. The most important job of every jam, in my opinion, is to bring folks together in the joy of making music and to exercise that joy in the playing music with other people.
I often remind players that there are three layers of jamming: strumming, chording, and singing. I *do not* expect every person to play all three layers on every single song. I *do* expect and invite you to take on the layers of each song that feel like the most meaningful challenge for you today. Jamming with others is about playing in a way that is not so easy for you that it’s boring, but also not so hard that it becomes frustrating and disheartening. Little by little, what feels hard today will feel easier with time. Everyone is on their own musical journey, and jams are just the crossroads to exchange and learn from each other.
‘Ukulele Jam Songbook
Each jam, we play songs out of a common songbook. Once you’ve joined my email newsletter, you can download (and print, if you like) the 2024 Jam Songbook. Paper copies are available at our in-person jams for anyone who needs. I do my best to introduce each song briefly, but substantively, with different points of orientation to follow along, as well as accommodations for folks looking for more or less of a challenge.
I’ve done my best to put together a songbook that represents a variety of genres, songwriters, and musical traditions. I’ve also tried to make sure we’ve got songs you won’t find at most other ukulele jams. For example, we’ve got everything from folk favorites from The Carter Family to an ukulele adaption of “The Wind Cries Mary”, by Jimi Hendrix. We’ll play “Bring Me Little Water Sylvie”, by early 20th century songwriter Leadbelly, and then “Closer to Fine” by late 20th century rockers The Indigo Girls. … And everything in between …
(Do you have a suggestion for our songbook? I am always eager and interested to learn new songs, artists, music traditions. Let me know here.)
‘Ukulele Jam Donations
Jams are FREE and open to all. No one is ever turned away for lack of funds. That said, if you’re able to offer a donation, I am very grateful. Music is my livelihood, so every donation does make a difference! Here are some ways you can donate:
- Via credit card or Paypal on my website: donate to the Zoom jam here
- Venmo me @averyhillstudio
- Send me a check, made out to “Avery Hill”, at: Avery Hill, PO Box 40073, Portland OR 97240.
- Pay in person anonymously to the donation box
THANK YOU!
Upcoming ‘Ukulele Jam Dates & Locations
For 2024, ‘ukulele jams will generally take place 1st Saturdays in person 2:00-3:30pm , and 3rd Saturdays online 1:00-2:30pm PT (check your time zone here). Please save the specific dates listed below, and see you there!
- January 20, 1:00pm PT – Live on Zoom
- February 3, 2:00pm – Lincoln St. Church, SE Portland OR
- February 17, 1:00pm PT – Live on Zoom
- March 2, 2:00pm – Artichoke Music, SE Portland OR
- March 16, 1:00pm PT – Live on Zoom
- April 6, 2:00pm – Artichoke Music, SE Portland OR
- April 20, 1:00pm PT – Live on Zoom