Popular blues jam reopens at new venue as fans look forward to bright future
By Matt Marn
But the following week, “Tuesday Bluesday 2.0” opened at
Zendejas Grill, right next door to their former coffee shop. Without missing a
beat, the group had found a new home.
Tuesday Bluesday organizer and band leader Tom Mein breaks
out his familiar guitars, takes the stage with his usual band mates, bass
guitarist Rich Alfano and drummer “Rumblin’” John Rumbaugh, and begins their
set with their favorite blues medley. As cheers grow louder from the audience,
he welcomes the crowd, “Welcome to Tuesday Bluesday 2.0!”
Mein explains to the crowd how grateful he and the band are
to have Zendejas as their new venue to continue this event. He said, as he
always does, how important it is to continue to support live music,
particularly on the west side of the valley, where local talent can have a
place to perform and grow.
After the band’s intro blues set, Mein starts moving through the list of
performers in the crowd who wanted to step onto this new stage and jam with
other local performers. The night featured a variety of blues, jazz, funk and
even some country, as Tuesday Bluesday is admired as featuring a variety of
genres for all tastes to share and enjoy.
“One thing I have noticed in the past year, there’s been an
explosion of all sorts of jam sessions around here,” said Mein later. “But we
have one of the best varieties. That’s our niche; we’re the most varied jam
session. I don’t want to be just a blues or a jazz jam, I like mixing it up. I
hope it stays that way.”
One of the performers to take to the stage was Blair
Robertson, a guitarist and longtime blues admirer.
“I thought the whole night was phenomenal,” said Robertson.
“I’m amazed at the amount of talent. It’s great we found a new place, and so
quickly. Tom deserves a lot of credit. When something goes really well, you’re
under pressure to keep that up, and Tom’s doing a phenomenal job.”
Robertson said the only problem is Tuesday Bluesday hasn’t
grown, it has exploded.
“I see that as a good thing, since it brings better and
better talent,” he said. “Tom just has the problem of getting everyone that
wants to play onstage.”
That difficulty of organizing and ensuring everyone makes it
onstage is the greatest stress for Mein.
“It can get hectic, scheduling everyone,” Mein said. “A lot
of players drive a long way, and if they don’t get to play, they leave. That’s
the last thing I want.”
Mein said he is very pleased with Zendejas Grill, and is
sure it is a move in the right direction.
“Next was nice, but there’s good food here, a family
atmosphere, everything we could want,” he said. “Here at Zendejas there’s more
space, nicer seating, and they stay open later than 9 p.m. We always got to the
end of the night at Next, and had to cram everyone in. This will help getting
everyone onstage.”
Robertson celebrated the new venue’s opening night by
performing the favorite “Honky Tonk Woman.” He said later this was a new song
for him, a song he has wanted to perform since high school.
“This kind of event inspires you to learn a new song,” he
said. “The beautiful thing is, I screwed up, but when you play with so many
other musicians, they can help cover you, and together, you all sound great. It
encourages people to come up and try new things.”
Regular Tuesday Bluesday supporters Jim and Paula Cowley
didn’t expect the amount of talent they started seeing on a regular basis when
they started attending the jam, and were also impressed with the great job Mein
does every week organizing the jam.
“I didn’t expect this,” said Paula Cowley. “It grew from a
little Tuesday night coffee shop to something much bigger. Tom is one of the
better players I’ve ever seen. I was also surprised at how friendly everyone
was. They are so supportive of young people or all the first timers. It’s a
great group of people that go do it.”
Cowley said she is certain the jam will only get bigger from
here, and the new venue will help them grow their reputation further.
“Everyone was starting to notice the crowds we were drawing
in at Next,” she said. “I think Tuesday Bluesday will keep growing.”
House bass guitarist Rich Alfano agrees this is a good move
for the Tuesday Bluesday group, and everything he’s heard from regulars
suggests this was surely an upgrade.
“We’ve retained our core of regular jammers, and seem to be adding new faces all the time,” Alfano said. “The best part for me is working with talented players like Tom and John every week, and being a continuing student of the art of music, the variety of material we run through… Country, jazz, blues, funk, there’s always something different being offered.”
Mein said he has a great time performing at and leading
Tuesday Bluesday, and said it is the most fun gig of his busy week. He also
enjoys seeing new players come up and perform along with the group.
“That’s part of the great thing,” he said. “It’s not just
about playing with others; I really enjoy giving people an opportunity to play
onstage, and watch them grow better and better. After all, one gig is worth ten
rehearsals. Once you play onstage, that experience multiplies your growth. And
everyone is welcome at Tuesday Bluesday.”
Tuesday Bluesday begins every Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at Zendejas Grill, 19420 N 59th Avenue, Glendale, Arizona 85308
