By Anyone can sit on a stool and beat the hell out of the drums. But can they deliver a message? Playing the drums is like having a conversation with a friend. If he’s paying attention to what you’re saying, he’ll get the message. If he’s not, it will go over his head.
Drummer Roger Humphries knows how to deliver that message. Every Thursday night at James Street Gastropub on the North Side, Mr. Humphries and his group, R.H. Factor, host a jam session for experienced and promising young musicians. Some weeks there are upwards of a dozen young players eager to demonstrate their skills. From time to time, visiting professionals may stop by for a set.
Mr. Humphries is quite liberal about who he allows onto the bandstand. His only prerequisite is that you have an understanding of the jazz language, which some young players in their eagerness to demonstrate sometimes forget.
“I’m just happy to be playing the music I love,” said Mr. Humphries. “This music has always been a huge part of my life. I am just thankful I can share it with others.”
http://post-gazette.photoshelter.com/js/psEmbed.js
_psEmbed(“http://post-gazette.photoshelter.com”);