Jones House Slow Jam

John was invited to lead a "slow jam" at the Jones House, which houses our local JAM program (Junior Appalachian Musicians).  This is a terrific program!  The purpose of the program is to keep our Appalachian music alive, particularly passing it on to the children of our area.  Just as we are trying to do with our Fiddle Camp.  The slow jam was exactly what its name implies.  Jamming slowly so that those who don't know how or are not comfortable yet with jumping in on a tune, could have a slow pace and lots of encouragement.  There were two jams going on simultaneously - one led by John and one led by Cecil, a wonderful old-time fiddler.  He graciously came by our Fiddle Camp a couple weeks ago and taught our intermediate class.  Thank you, Cecil!  Lots of our Fiddle Camp children came and they and our girls had THE BEST TIME EVER!  -direct quote 🙂

A new fiddler from Ohio was in our area and stopped in with her fiddle when she and her parents saw the sign out in front of the Jones House:  slow  jam tonight.  She is all alone in her bluegrass fiddling, for where she comes from there apparently aren't that many bluegrass pickers.  How wonderful (and shocking) when she was suddenly surrounded by a mob of young fiddlers, all playing the same tunes that she knew.  THAT is the joy of this music.  It is the connection these musicians have with each other and with those who have taken the time to pass it down to them.