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Announcing Our Big Summer Sale on Jam Sessions: Fridays and Saturdays throughout July and August, Women Jam For Free - and everyone else gets a $5 discount (a four hour jam is just $10 for members, $20 for non-members). Where else can you make a joyful racket for only $2.50 an hour? Who else shows you love just for being a male member?
A reminder that due to the impending holiday, there will be no showcase this week. Our monthly Red Lion residency will happen next Thursday (7/12) instead.
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| Technology |
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Now that it's getting brutally hot outside, a quick re-fresher on how to use the Jam's air conditioners. If you're overheating, make sure the A/C is set to "Cool" - NOT "Fan". Next, try turning up the fan speed rather than turning the thermostat down. Lastly, don't turn the A/C's power off. Doing so will only reset the unit, and delay the compressor kicking in for another three minutes or so.
And please note that while Jam is often unstaffed during the morning and early afternoon hours, I DO receive Jam email simultaneously via Blackberry. So if you have a query that can be addressed over email, by all means send it.
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| People |
 Diane O'Connell has an fascinating bio that includes such items as: Running away from home at 16, hanging out with Hells Angels, and dating a member of Bob Marley's Wailers. In recent years, she's designed floral arrangements for the Superbowl, US Open Tennis, and several movies; married, divorced; graduated from law school, and moved in and out of Manhattan too many times for me to count. All the while, music kept her (relatively) sane, as she fronted various Jam bands including the original incarnation of The Obscure Blues Band and, more recently, the soulful Mood Swings.
JMG: How long have you been singing?
DO:
Since I was old enough to talk. My mother used to clean the house to
the oldies and we would sing along with her like it was a big party. I
also used to play the Carpenters Greatest Hits over and over when it
first came out, memorizing all the words and wanting to sing just like
Karen. I quickly evolved my musical tastes from there so I'm no longer
embarrassed over having Karen Carpenter as an idol.
JMG: How would you describe yourself musically?
DO:
I don't know, but someone approached me after a recent gig and told me that my
energy was asymmetrical. If anyone knows what that means please fill me
in. I'm hoping it doesn't mean I'm imbalanced!
JMG: What's next for Diane?
DO:
I'm currently involved in several music projects, one of which is
Blindlemonthunder Blues Band, which is just getting off the ground. So
stay tuned. Also, I am looking for a new day gig doing transactional
work (as an attorney). I've been doing mostly international finance but
have been seriously contemplating a shift to real estate. So all you
Jam members who've read this far, if you have any leads I'd be happy to
know of them. I'll buy you a beer!
JMG: Any advice for those just entering the program?
DO:
Ah, I love this, I can do my "grasshopper" thing... Playing music should
feel natural so my advice would be to listen to your gut, have fun, and
always remember: There will always be someone better than you and there
will always be someone worse than you, the trick is to understand that
no one else is you, so just be yourself and play in your own unique
way.
Diane and Mood Swings will be performing at The Red Lion on August 2 at 9 pm.
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Weather
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Monday (7/2): Newbie Jam w/ Patty Murray from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at The Jam. Celebrate your freedom with an open jam geared toward newcomers - or anyone who likes to play with good listeners. $10 for members,
$15 for non-members.
 Wednesday (7/4): Happy Independence Day! The Jam is closed.
Friday (7/6): Open Blues & Rock Jam from 6 to 10 pm at The Jam (701 7th Ave., 7W). $15 for Jam members, $25 for everyone else, all gear included.
Saturday (7/7): Open Rock Jam from 4 to 8 pm at The Jam (701 7th Ave., 7W). $15 for Jam members, $25 for everyone else, all gear included.
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Extended Forecast
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Thursday (7/12): Showcase at Red Lion, featuring: Cropduster, August West,
Lodestar, Brooke, Dave Sasscer & The Mojo Conga Jam, and The Rolling Bones.
Thursday (7/19): Human Karaoke Experience at O'Flanagan's, 9
pm to 1:30 am.
Thursday (7/26): Showcase at The Cutting Room, with Jackie!, Square Feeet, and No Mersey.
Thursday (8/2): Showcase at Red Lion, featuring: Lisa Thaler unplugged, Planet Girl & The Time Machine Band, Chuck & Sue Rock, Mood Swings, Princess Rainbow & The Crown Victorians, Dueling Elvis, and The Rolling Bones.
Thursday (8/9): Showcase at The Cutting Room with: Hurwitz & Sons, Limelight, Gremmie's Noisebucket, Both Hands, Newspaper Taxis, and SOL.
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Postscript
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 "If a song's about something I've experienced or that could've
happened to me it's good. But if it's alien to me, I couldn't lend
anything to it. Because that's what soul is all about."
- Aretha
Franklin, The Queen Of Soul
The Dalai Jama
a/k/a Gregg Raybin
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