Seems I do this every year in some form, but I can't help myself.

I really enjoy going out to local jam sessions and listening as well as sitting in. For the past 2 years or so Danielle has done a marvelous job keeping the King Biscuit Tuesday thing a really cool scene, and it's one of my favorite things to do. Tonight was unfortunately typical of a trend that is disappointing. Virtually every player that participated played way too many choruses and dragged almost every tune out to the point of boredom, which was reflected by the exodus of both listeners and players in the audience.
Danielle is too nice a person to ask someone to please stop playing, so I'll do it:

DON'T play on every song, especially if you're a horn player and there are 5 or 6 other horn players. DON'T play 5 or 6 choruses on a tune if there is a crowd of other players waiting their turn, unless you're name is Coltrane. DON'T play a guitar/bass/drum solo on every tune if you're up there for 4 or more tunes. And. most importantly, respect Danielle and the gig! She's not a bitch, so don't make her have to act like one.

OK, rant over (for now).

Here are a few more;No more than one ballad per set+only one soloist on a ballad,(besides the melody playing person,or singer.More than this wears out the audience and other performing players horribly.)Also,vary the tempos ,styles and keys as much as possible.Any set of performed music should have a shape to it,just as individual tunes do;think about the presentation of all of the music to the audience,not just the tunes and songs YOU may be playing on.Whenever I sit in,I look around the room ,and,if there are a lot of other drummers there I only play a couple of tunes.Some young cat needs a chance to shine!Thanks Danielle,for all you do!

Any of you guys ever check out the Smitty's jam on Mondays? Is that still happening?

That's right Joel- just like a song has it's high and low points and a climax etc., so should a set. It should build and fall and hit you where you least expect it when you least expect it. It's a real art that comes naturally to a few but most don't have a clue.

Rule of thumb: Never play back to back rhythms, tempos or keys.

Yes, Andrew, Smitty's is still happening!