This is the third in a multi-part series of the various jam and open mic nights held at pubs and bars around the region.
Garry Gonis has found a new home for hosting a weekly jam night in the Bow Valley.
After more than a decade of presenting live music at Bruno’s Bar and Grill, Gonis relocated earlier this year and now leads the open mic event, Wednesdays at Tommy’s Neighbourhood Pub, located at 120 Banff Ave.
“There’s a bunch of places you can go and play and that’s great,” said Gonis, at the start of the night, Nov. 28. “It’s interesting, different people can come in, which has been great. There’s a lot of variety, a lot of newcomers.
“There’s a lot of top 40 music, some groove and jazz and stuff like that. And then a lot of people get up and play with their friends for their buddies. It’s not karaoke, there’s a big difference.”
The beauty of the jam night is you never know what’s going to happen, stressed Gonis.
“Some nights you get a great flow of people, and have super great jams – and some nights are tougher with random styles and players – but you can’t manage it, you gotta give everyone a fair chance,” he said. “Doing this well over a decade now, I’ve resigned to that I’ll put stuff up there, and whatever happens, happens.”
Having an open mic to participate in encourages people to take their musical aspirations further, he said.
“People might come along and only play one song, and then be back the next week with two songs and six months down the road they’re with a band, and there’s a certain satisfaction of achievement,” he said. “I think the most important thing about an open night is getting people up there and letting them drive for a few minutes. You offer them that opportunity and it’s a good happening thing.
“Some people are here to jam with other people, and that gets going too, whether or not it’s planned.”
Among the participants in that night’s jam was Banffite Trevor Duke.
“I just like jamming, said Duke. “It’s fun, I don’t have a band, so this is a chance to get out and play.
“I want to be in a band, but it’s a big time commitment,” he added, noting the open mic gives him a chance to come out and play, an opportunity he wouldn’t otherwise have.
Gonis revels in being able to provide that.
“There’s satisfaction knowing that the odd person totally appreciates it, and is thankful that we have all the instruments here and they can get up and play,” he said. “It makes me feel good and that’s why I keep doing it.
“You hope and pray the patronage understands that it’s an open mic. It’s not professional, and you don’t get that expectation, but you gotta gauge what’s going on with the open mic, do a little stacking in the deck.”
To join the jam at Tommy’s head on down Wednesday nights after 9 p.m.
“There’s more open mics now than there ever was, which is awesome, fantastic, and that just shows there’s a spirit for live music,” stressed Gonis. “People desire to do it and hopefully get to do what they want to do.”
