If you've never had the blues, just keep living.       
► BLUES JAMS — 002/006

NoVA Blues Jam

Northern Virginia's preeminent blues jam, based in historic downtown Manassas. Open to musicians of all skill levels.

01

⏭ NEXT JAM

UPCOMING
TBD

Typically held at the Harris Pavilion in historic downtown Manassas, VA — a large public space with tables, chairs, shade, rain cover, working power outlets, and passersby desperately in need of some amateur blues.

Follow along or reach out for updates on the next date.

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⏺ NOVA BLUES JAM 101

WHAT TO EXPECT

Open to musicians of all skill levels. We'll teach you the basics in person. The jam takes place at the Harris Pavilion in historic downtown Manassas — a large public space with tables, chairs, shade, and rain cover.

Bring whatever instrument you've got — acoustic or electric, both are welcome. Strangers have been known to wander over, grab a harmonica, and sit in for a song. Dancers too.

"If you've never had the blues, just keep living."

NEW TO THE BLUES?

Start here. Once you're comfortable, dig into dominant 7 chords, the pentatonic scale, the blues scale, and classic blues songs.

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⏯ SET LIST

We jam over 12 bar blues progressions in various keys and have organically grown a set list of songs. No need to know them ahead of time — but here they are if you want to prep:

01
Robert Johnson
SHUFFLE IN E
02 12/8 IN G
03
Old Crow Medicine Show
G D Em C
04
Jimi Hendrix
C G D A E
05
Stevie Ray Vaughan
KEY OF A
06 KEY OF E
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⏪ PAST JAMS

JUNE 3, 2023
First electric jam!
Fear that amateurism + amplification would be a problem was unfounded. The public power outlets work. Strangers came and sat in. A guy brought his harmonica. The law didn't mind.
⚡ ELECTRIC
MAY 7, 2023
3rd jam.
5 acoustic guitars, 1 acoustic bass. Hard to hear each other at times — cemented the move toward electric. Notes taken. Lessons learned. Why have I still not taken photos or videos?
🎸 ACOUSTIC
APRIL 16, 2023
The one where strangers danced.
A stranger joined mid-song and started singing. Then a couple came and danced. Kids clapped along. People took photos. When it ended, everyone felt a little cool about what had just happened.
💙 MAGIC
MARCH 26, 2023
The debut.
Four acoustic guitar players who met through the Hilton Performing Arts Center advanced guitar class for military families. Northern Virginia's preeminent blues jam had officially begun.
★ THE FIRST