JAZZ JAM AT THE COMMODORE - PLAYER INFORMATION
TIME:
Load-in: 7:30pm (unless you have a complicated set-up)
Start time: 8:00pm (8:15pm if there is a slow crowd)
Featured Artist End time: 9:00pm-9:15pm (depending on the start time)
Jam End time: 10:45pm
PRE-SHOW:
There is a side door stage right for load-in/load-out. If you get there early or if the door is locked, come into the Commodore Grille through the main entrance and ask them to unlock it for you. See parking information below.
FEATURED ARTIST:
The Featured Artist will play for approximately 60 minutes, depending on the number of Jam participants that show up. We’ll then mix and match players until the end of the night. If there is time, we may bring back the Featured Artist for 1-2 songs at the end of the night.
If you are the Featured Artist, please try to send us the names of all of your band members at least a week before the show, if possible. That way, we can give them proper acknowledgement and thanks in our promotions prior to the show and when announcing.
TO FEATURED BAND MEMBERS: Since the room is normally a songwriter room, there is no backline, so you will need to bring all instruments. There are only mic's and DI's. Also, since we do a Jam after the Featured Artist set, they will be using your backline equipment (amps, drums, etc.). They are all vetted professionals and guitarists and horn players will bring their own instruments and drummers will usually bring their own sticks.
JAM PARTICIPANTS:
Some Jam slots are filled by invitation prior to the show and others are filled by regulars and friends of regulars who show up. Invited guests have priority over everyone else for the opportunity to play. Although we make every effort to get everyone up to play, there will be certain nights that not everyone that wants to play will fit into the allotted time - The Commodore Grille closes promptly at 11:00pm and we have no control over that. If there’s time, we’ll try our best to get you up to play. We end the music at 10:30pm-10:45pm so that we have time to tear down.
If you’d like to join us for the Jam, email us at jam@crushworldwide.com. However, feel free to show up any time and visit and network with the other great players and get a feel for how we do things. We’re trying to make this a great musician hang whether you’re playing or not.
PRODUCTION:
We run most amps, horns and drums at stage volume. Vocals and keys (most times) will go through the board. Direct boxes are also available for those that need them. Percussion may or may not be mic'd depending on need. We can also mic instruments without pickups. We are, however, limited to four mic's/XLR's and four direct boxes. Mic's, stands, direct boxes and cables are all on-site.
MATERIAL:
Unlike the writers nights at the Commodore Grille, THE JAZZ JAM AT THE COMMODORE is open to any material, either original or cover. Featured Artists are encouraged to play their own material. For the Jam portion of the evening, being that most of the Jam participants will not have played together before, we encourage familiar cover/Real Book material that the audience would know and enjoy and that you can get together on quickly.
Please also show respect for the other players coming after you by keeping songs to a reasonable length. Twenty minute jam band extravaganzas and ten cycles through solos are nice if we had unlimited time, but they don't work with our limited show window.
Also, since this is a family venue, please be aware of your audience when choosing your material and what you say onstage.
SHOW PROMO:
We try to get a Facebook event up by at least the Thursday before and the Commodore gets an 8 1/2x11 poster that they display in various places. We encourage all of the artists to send out Facebook invites to the event after we post it (you'll be tagged so you'll know when it's live) and to let your fans know via other social media. We also send out Facebook invites and a few Twitter messages to our lists, but it's always more powerful coming from the artist.
TIPS:
There is no guarantee, but we have a TIP BUCKET available for the Featured Artist (if they choose to use it). Placement is up to the Featured Artist and is usually on or near the stage. It's big, red and easy to see. Hopefully, this should offset some of your expense for getting there and bringing your equipment. The Host will announce that the bucket is there and encourage people to contribute. The Holiday Inn is not, however, comfortable with you bringing the bucket around the room, so please leave it in its fixed location, but feel free to mention it whenever you like as will the host.
PARKING:
The Holiday Inn / Vanderbilt has put in a paid parking system with tickets through a machine. However, anyone coming to the Commodore Grille WILL BE VALIDATED FOR FREE PARKING. So park anywhere you like and it will not cost you anything. If the gate is open (as it often is), just go in and park. The outgoing gate will be open also. There is also free valet parking in the front of the building and a number of free spaces to the left of the front parking lot.
BEVERAGES & FOOD:
The Commodore Grille will provide free hot or cold soft drinks to anyone playing, both the Featured Artist and in the Jam. Featured Artists are usually comped for other beverages (beer, etc.) as well. Make sure you tell the bartender that you're in the Feature. They will also give you 15% off on any food orders (check your check to make sure they give it to you, some of the new servers don't know about it - best to order from the bartender).
CD’S & MERCHANDISE:
If you have any artist merchandise that you would like to sell during the show, the Commodore Grille will provide a table for you to display it. You must, however, bring someone to cover the table and make the sales.
CLICK HERE to go to the Jazz Jam at the Commodore Main Page