Banjo

Ann Arbor Bluegrass Jam


*** The next jams coming up:
  • Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024
  • Wednesday, Dec 11, 2024

  • Unless otherwise indicated, these will run from 7-9pm (setup starting 6:30pm). We may have outdoor sessions with the starting time adjusted. ***


    Who we are

    We are a small group in Ann Arbor, who have been meeting for over seven years, who are interested in having fun with bluegrass jamming. Our skills range from expert to novice on banjos, fiddles and other bluegrass instruments - everyone is welcome. We like to concentrate on the standard bluegrass tunes, with some vocals. A list of some of the music we play is on the 'Music' page.

    First group picture

    When and where we meet

    We typically meet the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Ann Arbor Senior Center in the Burns Park area of Ann Arbor, Michigan, $5 admission if you're playing an instrument. The jam starts at 7:00pm and ends at 9:00pm which allows us to play approximately twenty bluegrass tunes, selected in a round-robin fashion by the attendees. The 'Map' page shows how to get there.

    First group picture

    Instruments

    There are a variety of instruments playing. These include banjo (4 and 5 string), guitar, fiddle, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, and dobro. We also have electronic bass and percusion players. We welcome 'non-traditional' instruments like harmonicas, playing in the Bluegrass style. And singers are always welcome. If you can play and sing at the same time, that's a bonus!

    Cancelations

    If the jam is cancelled because of inclement weather, persons on the email list will be notified about this cancellation by 4:30pm of the day of the jam. See below if you'd like to be on this list. Notice of the cancellation will also be included on this webpage by that time.


    Bluegrass

    Some have asked about the origins of the term 'Bluegrass'. According to 'Wiki', it comes from Bill Monroe's group 'The Blue Grass Boys', the originating musical group playing this genre. He named the group after his home state of Kentucky also known as the 'Bluegrass State' for this particular type of turf found all around the state.