Saturday Blues Jams

Widely recognized as the only all-acoustic blues jam in the country, the Barbershop's legendary Saturday jams draw musicians and visitors from near and far.

Musicians of all skill levels are welcome to join in - just please follow the jam etiquette. Music-lovers are encouraged to stop by to listen.

Besides being a good time for everyone, Saturdays at the Barbershop allow the young to learn from the old, for the Piedmont blues tradition to be passed down to the next generation.

The music played spans the acoustic blues repertoire. There's usually guitars and harmonicas - and often upright bass, our house piano, fiddles, mandolins, hand percussion instruments like “bones” and washboard, and horns like trumpet or saxophone. Unusual instruments have included include a fujara flute, washtub bass and musical saw.

We even have a collection of house guitars if you'd like to borrow one.

All acoustic instrument are welcome - but please, no electric instruments!

We also host regular Swing Jams, Uke Jams and Open Mics.

Jam Etiquette

If you'd like to join in a jam, please do!
But like most jams, there's an etiquette we request that you follow:

The number one rule? Don't be shy! We're about playing music together and are very encouraging to less experienced players and/or new visitors of all ages. Every musician in here had a first time at the Barbershop.

If you need a guitar we have several house guitars available for you to borrow. Look for the row of cases in the corner and help yourself.

Acoustic instruments only, please; electric instruments are welcomed only at our swing jams.

If you're not familiar with a tune, play quietly until you get the hang of it (it’s better to play quietly until you know how it goes than to play loudly while you’re figuring it out). Once you get a good feeling for the rhythm and chord changes, play at a similar volume to the other musicians - without overpowering them.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND: if you can't hear the song's leader, you're playing TOO LOUD!

However, if you ARE leading the song, it's appropriate for you to play louder than the group to keep everyone together.

Songs are led in no particular order. If you'd like to lead a song, just jump in. Please call out the key in advance (this is especially helpful to harmonica players who need to grab the appropriate harp).

If you're leading a song whose structure is not a standard 12-bar blues, it's very helpful to take a moment to verbally outline the chord pattern (i.e. changes) before you begin.

The song's leader will usually cue solo breaks, most often going in a circle. Keep your eyes peeled for a nod in your direction; if you'd like to take a solo, nod back and go for it! If you'd rather not solo, simply shake your head to decline and the break will be passed along to the next player.

If you're unsure of your soloing abilities we encourage you to give it a shot - you're among a very friendly, encouraging crowd. No one is there to judge, and no one is expecting perfection.

However, if it's not your turn to solo please don't solo on top of (i.e. 'step on') someone else's solo - or the vocals. Playing over other people’s breaks (or while the leader is singing) is rude to both the person soloing and other jammers. Instead, do your best to 'lay back', supporting the song by playing solid rhythms - and enjoying the other players' solos.

Song endings are usually cued by the leader raising their foot or calling out, "Last time." If the leader calls, "Tag it!" they mean for the group to repeat the last part played before ending the song.

If you're unsure about anything...just ask the nearest person!

Finding Archie's Barbershop

The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation is located at:

4502 Hamilton Street

Hyattsville, MD 20781

There is limited parking behind the building and some street parking in the neighborhood. There are three public parking lots located within a block of the Barbershop.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

With few exceptions the Saturday jams take place from 1 to 5pm. Jams may be canceled due to bad weather or emergency. Should a major holiday fall on a Saturday there will likely be no jam. On very rare occasions, the jam may be held at a community event instead of the Barbershop.

Before setting out, please check the AEBHF Facebook page to check for any announcements that might affect the jam.