Click below to learn more about jamming.
SEMBA Rochester Acoustic Jam
Fridays 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Peace United Church of Christ, 1503 2nd Ave. N.E., Rochester, MN 55906
Free will donation given to the church. We will be in the same room.
Dulcimer Group meets in separate area. Enter by the North Door.
Contact: Pat Lahey, 507-282-5507
MBOTMA (MN Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association
For information regarding events/activities, call (651) 546-8919.
1st& 3rd Sunday of January, February & March - 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Acoustic Jam, The Creamery, 407 South Mill Street, Rushford, MN 55971
Information: 507-454-5084.
1st Monday of the month except holidays then held 2nd Monday of the month.
Guided jam at the Windsor Theatre in Hampton, IA.
Musicians invited to arrive at 5:00 pm - Jam starts at 6:00 pm until 9:00pm. Concessions available.
Free will donation given to the Theatre.
Contact Don Wrolson at 641-425-0909
Every Thursday of the Month
Winona Jam at The Acoustic Café, 2nd & Lafayette Streets, 2:00 to 4:00pm. Country& Western Contact: 715-651-7787.
Cowboy Church
1st Sun. of month, 6:00 pm Cherry Grove Church
2nd Sun. of Month, 5:30 pm, Kasson Church of Christ,, 901 8th Ave. N.W., Kasson, MN
3rd Sun. of month, 6:30 pm LeRoy Presbyterian Church
Houston, MN Free Lawn Chair Concert Series
Every Wed. 7:00 pm July & Aug.
Trailhead Park Band Shell, 215 West Plum St., Houston, MN.
Contact: 507-896-3511.
Plainview Concert Summer Series Plainview Community Center, 2nd & 4th Tuesdays June, July & Aug. 7:00 – 9:00 pm.
Pie & Ice Cream too!
Details call 507-534-3802 or 507-534-4142.
October 4, Acoustic Beginners slow jam 11-12 noon, Potluck at noon, Regular Jam 1-4 pm
Turkey River Cultural Center, 435 County St., Ridgeway, IA. $5 donation appreciated.
Contact: Pat Carey, Tel. 563-380-5597
Oct. 19, 2024 SEMBA’s Catfish/Chicken Fry
Rushford American Legion on Highway 16 W. Rushford, MN. Serving 5:00-7:00 p.m. Cost $14.00 per person. Free bluegrass music.
November 22, Acoustic Beginners slow jam
11-12 noon, Potluck at noon, Regular Jam 1-4 pm, Turkey River Cultural Center, 435 County St., Ridgeway, IA. $5 donation appreciated. Contact: Pat Carey, 563-380-5597
April 19, 2025 SEMBA’s Catfish/Chicken Fry
Rushford American Legion on Highway 16 W. Rushford, MN. Serving 5:00-7:00 p.m. Cost $14.00 per person. Free bluegrass music
May. 16, 17, & 18, 2025- SEMBA’S May Festival -
Tel. 507-864-8109 - www.semba.tv - held at Cushon’s Peak Campground, Houston, MN.
Relay for Life will have meal available Thursday evening
June 10–12-25 Weekend Jam Session
Itasca County Fairgrounds, Grand Rapids, MN. Camping. Free admission.
Potluck dinner Sat. p.m.
Contact - Lloyd LaPlant - 218-326-4456.
July 10-13-25- 5th Annual Cedar Springs Bluegrass Gospel Festival, Midwest Cowboy Ministries
River Ranch Camping, 2575 Cheyenne Ave., Nashua, IA. Info.: Karen 641-832-7963.
Camping or lodging call 641-435-2108.
July 25-27, 2025– Backbone Bluegrass Festival.
Strawberry Point, IA. 563-608-1056 or 563-608-2613.
Aug. 14, 15, 16, 17, 2025 - SEMBA’S August Festival -
507-864-8109 - www.semba.tv held at Cushon’s Peak Campground, Houston, MN.
Relay for Life will have meal available Wednesday noon & evening.
Wed. Aug. 13, one day workshop-free with festival band.
Aug. 21-24 2025 Lakes Bluegrass Festival, Cass County Fair, Pine River, MN. National & regional bands, camping, workshops & jamming.
Contact: 218-568-5559
Written by SEMBA, January 20, 2015
THOU SHALT TUNE THY INSTRUMENT. There are too many good, cheap tuners around not to do this.
THOU SHALT LISTEN. If you can’t hear the lead instrument or vocalist, then consider yourself too loud.
THOU SHALT PASS. When handing off an instrumental solo, try to follow a pattern either clockwise or counter clockwise. If you want to skip the next solo or pass it on to the next picker, be sure that the next person is aware of the handoff. No one wants to start his or her solo in the middle of the song.
THOU SHALT WELCOME OTHERS. Open up the circle if others want to join. The jam can’t be too big if people are polite.
THOU SHALT SHARE IN THE SELECTION. Open the choice of songs to the pickers around the circle. Don’t monopolize the jam.
THOU SHALT TRY NEW STUFF. Once in a while a participant may suggest original material or one that is out of character with the jam. This is A-OK (refer to Jammandments #2 and #4).
THOU SHALT LET OTHERS KNOW WHEN YOU ARE NOT JAMMING. Bands may sometimes be rehearsing and may need to exclude non-band members from jamming. If so, an explanation would be nice for the would be jammers.
THOU SHALT NOT RAID. Don’t interrupt an active jam by calling musicians away to begin another jam. (Bob’s note: Also don’t raid and take over a jam, by having your full band suddenly decide to sit in on a jam and end up playing all your own songs.)
THOU SHALT KEEPTH THY RHYTHM STEADYTH. Errors in rhythm are most difficult to overcome. Avoid adding or dropping beats. Play quietly if you can’t keep up and pay attention (refer to Jammandment #2).
THOU SHALT NOT SPEED. Do not start a song too fast for the others to play. Once everyone has had a turn at the lead, then one may announce that the temp is about to increase
Learn more about the Bluegrass Jamming Basics: https://wernickmethod.org/jamming-resources