Blues Jam

Last night I found myself in a familiar bar, with an unfamiliar crowd. Apparently every Monday night around 9:30 the Yatch Club in Iowa City hosts a blues jam. The yatch club is another bar that many bar goers overlook. The bar is across from the Cottage bakery on Linn and the entrance is decorated with huge white pillars. The bar is down a flight, pretty small and resembles an old unfinished basement. Cover was 5 dollars (only 3 for patrons of age) but it was well worth it. Not only was there an amazing blues band that started out the night, the drink special was one dollar pints of Bud Light.

After the local, edgy blues band played a mix of originals and covers (closing with a solo filled version of Very Superstitious by Stevie Wonder), they offered there instruments up to fellow musicians to “jam”. Any bar patron who felt like getting up on stage and jamming could sign up on a sheet by the stage. The lead singer of the opening band called people up depending on their instrument. Everyone is allowed a turn (time allowing) and many of the participants seemed to be well-known regulars.

Blues seems to me to be a very passionate form of music. The singer of the opening band was extremely into his music. He played at times with his eyes closed, body waving, etc. One man in the corner was even faux drumming along to the music very intensely. Later I learned that a few of these patrons were fellow musicians and soon to be “Jammers”.

The smoky atmosphere, the small stage lit with white Christmas lights, the “bar someone built in their basement” feel, it seems so far removed from the stereotypical Iowa City bar with the drunk college kids in stylish attire. Although I admit I frequent those bars and enjoy them, I can’t help but be relieved that is not all Iowa City has to offer. I don’t assume to know a hell of a lot about blues but what I heard sounded pretty damn good. Good music plus good drink specials (plus maybe a little photohunt) equals a pretty swell evening. I will definitely but frequenting the Yatch Club more often on Mondays.