by BOB GRYLLS
Reporter
WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — There’s a jam session going on every Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cobden Legion. A core group of about eight to10 musicians and singers from a pool of 30 or so people meet there to have a good time.
Group arbiter Simon Tunley describes the jam as,” A fair mix between accomplished folks and beginners, some who have discovered new talents while with the group.”
Several singers are choir-trained so can control their voices but all voices contribute to every song, some more so than others.
However, there is tangible sense of joy in this group, a sense of belonging that they can experience for a few carefree hours a week, away from their usual lives. Even some dancing and laughing are acceptable. Everyone who attends learns to listen as well as to sing and play, sometimes a challenge at first.
Occasionally there are microphones and sometimes just voices. Guitarists are able to quickly fit their instruments in. Other instruments are mandolins, harmonicas and general noisemakers. The bass and percussion are kept low to allow the group to chit-chat. They did have someone that brought a hand drum and had a light touch but a new job kept him unfortunately out of reach. There is hope that an itinerant horn section will invade them some day. Everyone is welcome to play with the group. It’s a big space with big hearts in it.
Over the last three years the ‘Cobden Legion Jam’ has become known as the locale where folks can get together, have a bit of fun, learn and share with each other and grow in their personal musical direction. Each one brings a copy of their favourite music and turns are taken to play the requested favourites. Anyone who would care to, is welcome to take part in the group. It has a big space for others to become one of the big hearts in it. They do gigs as well and have a few under their belt.
Mr. Tunley said, “Thanks to Paul Heath, who has consistently welcomed us to the legion, as has the entire Legion executive. Also, Ronnie Jaremkow who has kept our notice in the Whitewater News website. I have to thank musician, arranger, theorist and techie, Greg Russel of the band ‘Trophy Husbands’ whose rare absence from our jam is always keenly felt.”
The group will likely keep going as it is with a future no different than at present. They tend to be baby boomers, but hope that younger musicians join in and energize things a bit. Drop into the Legion for a mellow but heart-felt blast.
