THE SESSION at SIGN OF THE TIMES

The Session: Monday Nights at Sign of the Times, by Ian Rashkin

There are a lot of jam sessions going on in and around Baltimore these days, and that’s a great thing. I’ve been to a few of them lately, and they each have a different vibe, something unique to enjoy as a player and as a listener. But when I stepped into Sign of the Times for one of their Monday night jazz jams, I knew I had found the place the I’d been looking for.

Located in East Baltimore at 139 North Belnord Avenue (just north of Patterson Park), Sign of the Times is a small neighborhood bar on a quiet block of row houses. It has been in business for about 15 years, and since this past September has hosted this jam session every Monday. According to manager/bartender Monique (a.k.a. Blondie), when Club 347 became Mood Ultralounge, some of the players who used to hang out there were looking for a new spot, and although the bar didn’t have the traffic to pay a band for a Monday night, she agreed to host the jam and collect tips for payment. The jam session has been going ever since, and it seems to be working out well for everyone. Every time I’ve been there it has been full of people—musicians, listeners, friends—and Blondie’s been busy serving food and drinks while the band plays pretty much continuously, breaking only to discuss song choices when new players come up.

Directed by trumpeter/saxophonist Clarence Ward III, with help from trombonist Rufus Roundtree (when not playing, he’s circulating, boosting the players, and making the rounds with the tip jar), the session is rooted in a classic rhythm section of electric piano, upright bass, and drums; unlike some jams I’ve been to, this one draws a lot of horn players. I’ve heard many of Baltimore’s great talent down there, folks like Craig Alston, Sam King, Lionel Lyles, Ralph Rogers, Daniel Wallace, and plenty more. There are vocalists as well, and occasionally guitarists, but this is a good place to hear some horns. The tunes are usually called from the 50s-70s bop and post-bop canon, and there’s no reining in of energy or enthusiasm.

Soloists will often take five or six, even ten choruses, saying what they have to say, not afraid to let it build, and knowing that they’ve got an audience here that appreciates inspired playing. In fact, besides the great music, it’s the audience that makes this the place to be: the band can get loud in this fairly small room, so there’s more a feel of a party than of a quiet bar with dinner music. Of course a lot of the audience members are musicians waiting their turns, cheering on their friends and having a good night out; others I’ve talked to come down regularly just because they know they can hear some very good playing and see a lot of familiar faces.
There’s no fine dining (bar fare is available), no craft brews or extensive wine list. The focus here is on the people and the music, with the venue providing refreshment and comfort to keep the party going.

A few weeks ago when I showed up to The Session, as it’s known, there was no drummer (or drum set). This might sound like a problem, and indeed, I’m sure some calls were being frantically made, but by the time I had sat down at the bar and ordered a drink (remember, folks, the music only happens when the bar is making money!), Clarence had started up a trio with piano and bass, and they were playing a medium swing tune with plenty of fire. When they launched into an up-tempo number next, Rufus pulled out a shaker and started playing along, then switched to keeping time on a beer bottle with a stick, and I have to say it was swinging hard. They kept on this way for a few more numbers, and while the arrival of a drummer was undoubtedly a relief to all (I’m sure it would have been hard to keep that energy going all night without him), I was sure glad I got to hear that makeshift rhythm section at work. That’s part of what makes these jams so good: it’s not a competition, not a cutting session, but is fueled by everyone’s desire to make music, now, with no holding back.

If you like straight-ahead jazz, don’t mind a little volume, and/or want to hear—and play with—some really fine musicians, check out The Session some Monday. There’s no sign-up sheet, but Rufus and Clarence are friendly and approachable, and anyone who wants to sit in is welcome to join the line of horn players, sub in the rhythm section, or take the mic to sing a few tunes. Bring cash—there’s no cover, but the bar doesn’t take plastic, and neither does the tip jar—and be prepared to want to come back!