Anyone who’s stopped in at the Jam Tent knows that it’s only for the hearty players! Although that is only a statement of pure jest, it can also sound a bit intimidating. There can be 10-20 accordions and other instruments playing at once. But, please, don’t be intimidated. It’s so much fun! You won’t want to miss out on it.
For more than a decade, the Jam Tent has served as an anchor to all accordionists in search of connecting with others. Under the auspices of the Golden State Accordion Club, it grew into the most popular hub at the festival. It’s a great place to hang out, meet a friend, swap stories, and share the latest in the accordion world. Stop by and play for an hour or so. It’s up to you. Make the most of your festival experience! Sign up to lead a session or kick back and just enjoy the music.
When you visit the tent, you’ll be able to chat with George Bachich, our accordion repair professional who brings a lifetime of experience to restoring old accordions. He loves to share his stories and will offer tips about accordion repairs at the “Accordion Autopsy” table. If you like, you can stop by the Jam Tent headquarters and discuss the history of Italian accordion sheet music with Cotati’s historian Sheri Mignano Crawford. She’s available in the afternoons.
The Jam Tent welcomes all musical instruments inside and encourages everyone to participate. Maybe you’ll learn a new tune or see an old friend again. Music binders provide the sheet music, and you provide the musical excitement. A rotation of leaders keeps the enthusiasm high and organized. Small, featured groups may appear throughout the day to hold everyone’s attention and provide respite from the jam sessions. Even if you don’t intend to play, sit down and enjoy listening. The music is non-stop from 9:45A to 5:00P both days. It is located at the north gate entry. See you there. (SMC 2022)
