Our goals are simple.
We create opportunities for aspiring musicians to get on stage with veteran musicians. To be a great performer a young musicians need mentorship and opportunities to perform live with more experienced musicians.
Bringing together musicians, enthusiasts, supporters, and people who are surprised to find out they enjoy live jazz is an overall objective that grows all on it's own when we create a fun and inviting atmosphere for people from all generations to hang out during performances and jams.
When we bring in veteran musicians for the core band or rhythm section we need to pay them what they are worth. Decades of experience is worth a pay check. With your help we are able to bring in top shelf musicians to mentor and make music with younger musicians in live performances.
Mark Kelly, Woodwinds, Bellingham Washington
I can think of several occasions over the years where I’ve taken a private woodwind student of mine through a jazz standard, and worked it up over several lessons with the end result being that we go to Scot’s jazz jam (at Boundary Bay, up til now) to play it. In that time they will learn the tune, including an intro and an ending, and do at least one chorus of improvisation. On stage, they will experience the disparate parts of counting off the tune, having others take their turn at improv, trading 4’s with drums, and knowing when to come back in with the out head. It’s one thing to go over this at a lesson, and quite another thing to do it live on stage. Invaluable experience, in my opinion.
I’ve been teaching both in public schools (Music Ed degree WWU), private programs, and home lessons since 1982.
Joel Kruzic, Bass, Western Washington University
I was elated to discover a thriving jazz scene upon moving to Bellingham to study classical bass at Western. I'm very fortunate to be able to work with musicians like Scot Ranney, and am honored to participate in his jam session held every Sunday, where the tradition continues of encouraging young, local musicians to sit in and develop their voice.
Cambria Schmidt, musician parent
Thank you for hosting the weekly Sunday Night Jazz Jam sessions. Our son Kaden, a high schooler, has enjoyed playing upright bass with you and a rotating list of talented drummers as part of the house band, and jamming with other aspiring musicians who show up each week. He has advanced in his musical development by playing with peers, college students, pros and retired musicians. A few weeks ago, he even played his trumpet, a fun surprise to other musicians and audience members alike who only knew him as a bass player. Our youngest son Ashton, a middle schooler, also joined earlier this summer and played his sax with his teacher. While he was initially a bit nervous about performing in front of strangers, he left feeling elated and motivated to continue practicing.
We're grateful for the environment you've fostered, where it's safe to try new things, have fun and build community. The music is different every week, but so fun and full of energy and life! We love listening just as much as our kids love playing!
