Paul Henry's Acoustic Jam 71

Paul Henry's Art Gallery had their 71st jam and open table pot luck night last night (1/12/2012)!  The artists and food were great!!  It was our first real snow of the year, which may have turned some people away. I have to give kudos to those who made it, especially the artists.

I also had another task to accomplish, besides having fun.  And that was to use my new/used camera body and new lens . . . and it proved a bit challenging at first.  I had the wrong priority setting at the beginning so I did not have all the photos I was hoping for.  However, I figured it out as I went along and the fun began . . .

I arrived a little late, and when I walked in Adrian Rameriz (left) and Dan Serapin (right) were already jamming.  So I kitted up with my new/used camera body and new lens, and went on to play "shoot'm or loose'm" with the camera.

I walked around the room to look at the new art pieces that came in.  I bought a Celtic piece made by Kim Clanton, and failed to take photos of the set which look great on David Mueller's Facebook page.  The pieces were hand cast from molds created by Kim.

I also found the arcrylic on canvas painting by Eugene Mitchell titled "Smoothin' to the Groove" that I really like, I mean REALLY LIKE.

About two thirds into Adrian's and Dan's set, Melissa Welch kitted up (okay, I've been hanging around too many Brits on Sunday, the lingo is rubbing off) to join them with her sax.

Next up was Thomas Matecki on piano and the lovely sax player, once again, drum roll please, because I think she's great . . . Melissa Welch!  This evening I enjoyed the two of them a bit more.

By now I am settling in with my camera. Can you tell? As you look around this gallery, there are never ending photo ops. You can go crazy, shooting photo after photo, perhaps a million photos, and still not be able to take it all in . . . and that is a good thing.

Next up was Don Taylor.  The more you get to see him, the more you feel like part of the family.

And later in Don's set he was joined by Rich Wotkun.

Again, lots of things going on.  You can either sit and listen to who's up front, or walk around and enjoy . . .

And know, I was not "hitting the bottle" as it were, nor drinking the wine that was brought in . . .

Do you know about, or have you heard, the group Victory Garden?  Artist Michael Finney from the band graced us with his talent.  I would swear as a kid growing up he slept with his guitar and sang in his sleep.  He is that good, that comfortable, in command of his voice and the delightful sound coming from his guitar.  He is that good . . .

For Victory Garden's website, check out www.reverbnation.com/victorygarden.

I still cannot say enough about Lou Shields.  Again, I am not very musically inclined so forgive me here, if I were to attempt to describe what Lou does would be a delta blue grass type mix.  But don't rely on me, because I probably have this all wrong . . . come listen for yourself . . .

And, I need to bring money next time.  I WANT A LOU SHIELDS SHIRT!!!!!  Others were winning them in the raffle . . . not me . . .

If you want to see more of Lou's talent, www.reverbnation.com/loushields.

More miscellaneous photos . . .

Yes, it was cold outside.  These next two photos I took out the windows.  The first facing South, and the other West.  You will have to click on the photo to enlarge in order to see the detail.

Next up . . . Michelle Milan . . .

And next . . . Maureen Garison . . . doing her own music . . .

Next were a couple young guys from Munster, Michael Hanus and Ben Perkins, and their first time at Paul Henry's.  Needless to say they had a lot of energy . . . the photo does not do that justice.  They were followed by their friend Mark McKechnie.

Joey Humphrey was back with his twelve string guitar . . .

And another poet, Scott Fowler, came to share his work . . .

Carl Strain was there . . .

Then came Mike Callahan, who makes some of the guitars for Lou Shields, and was later accompanied vocally by Lou . . .

And, before David kicked us out so he could get some sleep before work the next morning (and admittedly I needed my sleep), Michelle and Melissa were asked to team up and close us out . . .

You can see my other blog entries of Paul Henry's Art Gallery and Thursday night jam by following these links:

Thursday Night Jam Session 

Paul Henry's Art Gallery - Thursday Night JAM 12/29/2011

Paul Henry's Art Gallery - Hammond, IN

Oh, and my new/used camera with new lens also does video . . . so I tried it for the first time.  I thought this was very cool of Melissa to get up front and just do something before we all went home.  She got lost in her groove, and when she came out of it, well, watch the expression on her face at the end!  It's priceless!! (Expand it to full screen so you can see it better.  The original is much more clear.  For whatever reason this blog site reduced the image quality.)

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Paul Henry's Acoustic Jam 70

I had to go back and experience another night at Paul Henry's Art Gallery, and I am glad once again that I did. Three of the musicians from last week were there again this week, along with several new artists (new to me that is).  A comedian provided us with laughter, a poet with warmth and feeling.  The jazzy sax was there again, and more.

I arrived early and shot some photos from inside.  And by the way, if you like any of the photos in any of these blog entries, please comment.  Everyone is unique, which makes us all special.  I am looking to find what is in common :)

First up was Michelle Milan who played the piano to open us into the groove for the evening.  I enjoyed her character throughout the evening.  The confidence, comfort, came out of her in everything she did.

Next up Tony Cortina.  He came across as the most likable and personable guy you could meet.  I am glad I was able to see / listen to him.  My only regret was that I did not get up and shoot more photos of him.

We all had the super pleasure of meeting James Wesley Jackson, and to learn what an environmedian is.  Or at least I think we learned.  It was a blast being able to laugh like that.  It was fun to take photos of him, though I sadly admit my camera and I didn't get along at that particular moment, so any good photos I was looking for became slim pickens.

Back again was Lou Shields.  I have to say my writing skills, ability to articulate what Lou does, is lacking.  So am not doing him justice right now.  Lets just say he would be a household staple . . . you just want him around . . .

A smaller attendance this night than last Thursday which was the end of the new year.  Some new faces were there.  Though everyone is new to me . . . only my second night there!

And still a gem, Carl Strain singing to us.

Okay, now this gentleman was great on the piano, and his name is Thomas Matecki.  Again, I am doing the artist a dishonor for my lack of music knowledge.  All I can say it was great!  He is a jazz piano player who performed Monk, Coltrane, and one of his own compositions (thanks for the info Dave).

I think someone found Lou's guitar . . .

Now understand, this gallery is for the artist, of all forms, and it was a real pleasure to have a poet in the ranks.  Yusuf El apparently was there last year with all of his poetry in a binder, which is now bound under the title, "Raw Tears".  His poetry told stories that sucked you in close and comfortable, and kept you at a distance because you did not know what was going to come next.

The unusual talent of Davideo and instrument the Kalimba (thumb piano) . . .

Melissa and "Keyboard Richie" were back and played a couple sets again.  I enjoy listening to Melissa on the sax.  Tonight she had some very strong, in the zone, grooving music.  I would like to hear her play that strong and in depth more often.

No, I was not drinking (I swear) . . . I just like shooting the camera differently at times . . .

Two out of 2 now for birthdays, though this one almost became a meltdown for David . . . hey, mine is February 12th Dave :)

Michelle blessed us again with some guitar . . .

There is a reason whey these people are so focused . . . that reason . . . the person on the piano, Michelle.

Next up was Victor Valdez that has a lot of talent, all wrapped up, expanding out, knowing his own talent, yet humble enough to know there is much more . . .

The most brilliant part of Victor was his own music . . . he's good!

Next up was Maureen Garrison accompanied by Richie on the paino.  After she loosened up, she did her own thing.

And up one more time was Michelle singing A Capella.  Well sort of.  She involved the audience to help her keep beat by having us clap.  Well most of us . . . I stopped my foot because I had my camera in hand.  This was a fun part of the evening.

Victor was ready to go again, but lacked a guitar.  By this time I was in need of sleep needed to function at work tomorrow.  So I had to leave before Victor played again.

In all it was a great night.  I cannot wait until next week.  Not just because of something new at the gallery, but also because I should have my new camera lens!

If you have not had the chance to read my other blogs on Paul Henry's Art Gallery, and would like to, you can go to these links: 

Paul Henry's Art Gallery - Thursday Night JAM 12/29/2011

Paul Henry's Art Gallery - Hammond, IN

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