Sundays sessions in Santa Cruz At the Poet and Patriot
Sundays in Santa Cruz At the Poet and Patriot, 320 Cedar St. in downtown Santa Cruz from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Singers and musicians are both welcome to join in a Round Robin style session, as well as the occasional dancer who doesn't mind the close quarters! For more info, email thepoetandpatriot@gmail.com or call host Tim McCormick at the Pub,(831) 426-8620 or Mobile (831) 227-0042.
I heard about this session from a good Irish music friend in January this year (2011) so some of us seasoned local Irish players from the 'Cruz attended for the first time in February. The Poet, of course, being a legendary downtown watering hole and a good place for pints and trivia.
Ted the manager is a super individual, very welcoming and energetic. As for the session experience, there were few melody players in attendance during the first few times that we went and several guitars, none of whom were used to backing Irish music. But the old timers were great, all storied locals with their own brand of proper Santa Cruz wackiness. There were lots of songs.
We were unable to attend again for several months but we heard that things were still going, the signboard outside still said "Open Celtic Jam." so we popped in this September to play a few sets. Again we were the only melody players in attendance with several guitars present, all playing at once and in different keys, sheet music scattered on the floor, dog bless 'em.
And it seems that the structure of the session is now round-robin, which breaks away from what we've come to expect at most Irish trad sessions around the world, and we were told we could only play one tune at a time. Four songs, one tune, that sort of thing, 'round the circle.
A better description for this session might actually be, "Ballad Session" or, "Song Session" and if you like to sing or play the odd single tune between songs when your *turn* comes around--then this session is for you!
That said and round-robin singing aside, the local scene is priceless and we'll go back to see Ted, grab a pint, and play trivia now and then, but we'll be saving our tunes for another venue.
I have a soft soft in my heart for this pub. The Poet and Patriot was actually where my first experience of a trad session happened. It was 1980 and I was as green as they come. The hosts were very welcoming and accommodating despite my lack of experience and short list of hacked out tunes. I'm disappointed to see there is no longer a trad session going there... I hope some of the local tune-players can work it out with the owner to get one going again so I can go back some day.
Another Eyewitness Account of that September Sunday
Both Leap2Three! and Phantom Button are well acquainted with me, but only Leap2Three! and I were present at this session on the particular September Sunday she describes above.
In fact I have been in attendance at this session most Sundays for the past 9 months, and so I know the recent character of this session very well. Moreover, I have discussed this particular incident with Phantom Button at great length in the intervening months.
Some of Leap2Three!’s description is accurate, so I will confine my comments to a few clarifications.
Tim McCormick is the owner and manager of this venue. Ted Framhein is the sound man, and plays an acoustic bass guitar. Ted has studied a bit music theory, and he sits in on some of the tunes and songs, so I would concede that this counts as a guitar.
Anne had a guitar, and my mine makes three. However, Bob was mostly playing his prized bouzouki, not his Gibson guitar. Leap2Three!s party included her hammered dulcimer, David's fiddle, and Mary's tin whistle. The other instruments were Larry's Mandolo, Ralph's lap dulcimer, and a lady playing the house bodhran.
The papers strewn about were Bobs hand written chord transcriptions of 'The Roseville', and Altan tune, and one of Bob's original compositions, which Bob had provided so the rest of us could accompany him as he played the melody to both.
Since there were three members of Leap2Three!s party, no one was concerned when they played a three tune set. The friction only arose when they began additional sets out of turn. Since they were not aware that this session is a Round Robin, we can forgive them the error, and welcome them back. Ted has told me this has all been communicated to Leap2Three!.
Phantom Button describes this forum on his profile as follows: "My advice to anyone using this website is to avoid the discussion forum as it is a complete waste of time and dominated by a small myopic clique of self-proclaimed know-it-alls." While I think this is a bit harsh, I do agree that narrow-minded and pedantic comments are too common. Therefore, I will be expecting Phantom Button to join me in inviting more of the local tune-players to attend and take a turn with us on future Sundays.
Tony, I wouldn't recommend a RR style session to anyone I know unless they were looking to sing songs. RR only works for song sessions. Irish trad sessions are never run that way. Songs at trad sessions are occasional if at all.
Jack, Round Robin is only actually enforced on those rare occasions when there is friction. 90+% of the time, the mix of tunes and songs is about 50/50, and there is no friction. If you know of anyone who would enjoy this mix, please do point them our way.
Sunday, April 29, 2012 in Santa Cruz Ted Framhein, long time sound man at the Poet and Patriot, 320 Cedar St. in downtown Santa Cruz, is moving to Florida! Join Ted's former of band-mates and Ted's son from NY on drums, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, for an electric jam session / farewell party. A full sound system will be provided for the duration, including 4 mics and 4 DI boxes to plug in guitar-jack based instruments, guitar amps, bass amp, 6 AC power drops and a drum kit. Other musicians are welcome to sit in for a few general cover tunes that will certainly pop up. For more info, email thepoetandpatriot@gmail.com or call Tim McCormick at the Pub, (831) 426-8620 or Mobile (831) 227-0042.
Sundays sessions in Santa Cruz At the Poet and Patriot
Sundays in Santa Cruz At the Poet and Patriot, 320 Cedar St. in downtown Santa Cruz from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Singers and musicians are both welcome to join in a Round Robin style session, as well as the occasional dancer who doesn't mind the close quarters! For more info, email thepoetandpatriot@gmail.com or call host Tim McCormick at the Pub,(831) 426-8620 or Mobile (831) 227-0042.
# Posted on October 9th 2011 by AmeriCeltic
Suitable for slow players and singers
I heard about this session from a good Irish music friend in January this year (2011) so some of us seasoned local Irish players from the 'Cruz attended for the first time in February. The Poet, of course, being a legendary downtown watering hole and a good place for pints and trivia.
Ted the manager is a super individual, very welcoming and energetic. As for the session experience, there were few melody players in attendance during the first few times that we went and several guitars, none of whom were used to backing Irish music. But the old timers were great, all storied locals with their own brand of proper Santa Cruz wackiness. There were lots of songs.
We were unable to attend again for several months but we heard that things were still going, the signboard outside still said "Open Celtic Jam." so we popped in this September to play a few sets. Again we were the only melody players in attendance with several guitars present, all playing at once and in different keys, sheet music scattered on the floor, dog bless 'em.
And it seems that the structure of the session is now round-robin, which breaks away from what we've come to expect at most Irish trad sessions around the world, and we were told we could only play one tune at a time. Four songs, one tune, that sort of thing, 'round the circle.
A better description for this session might actually be, "Ballad Session" or, "Song Session" and if you like to sing or play the odd single tune between songs when your *turn* comes around--then this session is for you!
That said and round-robin singing aside, the local scene is priceless and we'll go back to see Ted, grab a pint, and play trivia now and then, but we'll be saving our tunes for another venue.
# Posted on November 1st 2011 by Leap2Three!
Virgin sessioner
I have a soft soft in my heart for this pub. The Poet and Patriot was actually where my first experience of a trad session happened. It was 1980 and I was as green as they come. The hosts were very welcoming and accommodating despite my lack of experience and short list of hacked out tunes. I'm disappointed to see there is no longer a trad session going there... I hope some of the local tune-players can work it out with the owner to get one going again so I can go back some day.
# Posted on November 1st 2011 by Phantom Button
Another Eyewitness Account of that September Sunday
Both Leap2Three! and Phantom Button are well acquainted with me, but only Leap2Three! and I were present at this session on the particular September Sunday she describes above.
In fact I have been in attendance at this session most Sundays for the past 9 months, and so I know the recent character of this session very well. Moreover, I have discussed this particular incident with Phantom Button at great length in the intervening months.
Some of Leap2Three!’s description is accurate, so I will confine my comments to a few clarifications.
Tim McCormick is the owner and manager of this venue. Ted Framhein is the sound man, and plays an acoustic bass guitar. Ted has studied a bit music theory, and he sits in on some of the tunes and songs, so I would concede that this counts as a guitar.
Anne had a guitar, and my mine makes three. However, Bob was mostly playing his prized bouzouki, not his Gibson guitar. Leap2Three!s party included her hammered dulcimer, David's fiddle, and Mary's tin whistle. The other instruments were Larry's Mandolo, Ralph's lap dulcimer, and a lady playing the house bodhran.
The papers strewn about were Bobs hand written chord transcriptions of 'The Roseville', and Altan tune, and one of Bob's original compositions, which Bob had provided so the rest of us could accompany him as he played the melody to both.
Since there were three members of Leap2Three!s party, no one was concerned when they played a three tune set. The friction only arose when they began additional sets out of turn. Since they were not aware that this session is a Round Robin, we can forgive them the error, and welcome them back. Ted has told me this has all been communicated to Leap2Three!.
Phantom Button describes this forum on his profile as follows: "My advice to anyone using this website is to avoid the discussion forum as it is a complete waste of time and dominated by a small myopic clique of self-proclaimed know-it-alls." While I think this is a bit harsh, I do agree that narrow-minded and pedantic comments are too common. Therefore, I will be expecting Phantom Button to join me in inviting more of the local tune-players to attend and take a turn with us on future Sundays.
# Posted on November 2nd 2011 by AmeriCeltic
On the History of Celtic Sessions
You should also read this article, for context:
http://www.facebook.com/notes/americeltic/on-the-history-of-celtic-sessions/169023576525516
# Posted on November 2nd 2011 by AmeriCeltic
Sounds horrific. At least there is a house bodhran.
# Posted on November 12th 2011 by SmashTheWindows
Tony, I wouldn't recommend a RR style session to anyone I know unless they were looking to sing songs. RR only works for song sessions. Irish trad sessions are never run that way. Songs at trad sessions are occasional if at all.
# Posted on November 20th 2011 by Phantom Button
Jack, Round Robin is only actually enforced on those rare occasions when there is friction. 90+% of the time, the mix of tunes and songs is about 50/50, and there is no friction. If you know of anyone who would enjoy this mix, please do point them our way.
# Posted on December 19th 2011 by AmeriCeltic
Ted Framhein Farewell Sunday, April 29, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012 in Santa Cruz Ted Framhein, long time sound man at the Poet and Patriot, 320 Cedar St. in downtown Santa Cruz, is moving to Florida! Join Ted's former of band-mates and Ted's son from NY on drums, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, for an electric jam session / farewell party. A full sound system will be provided for the duration, including 4 mics and 4 DI boxes to plug in guitar-jack based instruments, guitar amps, bass amp, 6 AC power drops and a drum kit. Other musicians are welcome to sit in for a few general cover tunes that will certainly pop up. For more info, email thepoetandpatriot@gmail.com or call Tim McCormick at the Pub, (831) 426-8620 or Mobile (831) 227-0042.
# Posted on April 1st 2012 by AmeriCeltic