Schwabenhof Blues Jam back in action

WASILLA — The Schwabenhof Blues Jam series is back in full swing, now operating under the name HarpDaddy Backcountry Blues Jam. Longtime Alaskan blues artist Gary Sloan is putting on a live performance Sunday.

Darren Smith is a local musician who saw an opportunity to bring people together. He said that he wanted to reboot the Blues Jam project to invigorate the local music scene after a long and constraining year. He said this project aims to support local musicians while providing locals with engaging entertainment amid a time where few venues are open.

“With COVID and other reasons, there really hasn’t been opportunities for jams the last couple of years… I’m like, ‘let’s get this thing going again.’ We need to re-establish a sense of community that we’re really lacking today, especially with musicians. I mean, musicians need each other; and really, the energy that’s created when musicians get into a room and just start playing together is phenomenal, and you never know what’s gonna happen. So, I felt like the timing was right,” Smith said.

Smith said they’re spotlighting a different local musician each week, usually accompanied by others. He kick started the series with local musician Jerry Wessling as their first featured artist last Sunday.

“I’m so thrilled with the crowd we had this last week,” Smith said.

Sloan will be the second artist featured in the series. He will be joined by his son and a Wasilla based musician Bob Howard. According to Smith, Sloan had an impressive and impactful career with the blues, performing alongside some of its biggest names like Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.

“He is the godfather of the blues in Alaska,” Smith said.

Smith moved to Palmer from Anchorage last summer. He said that he’s been overwhelmed by the Valley’s supportive music scene, and he’s ready to keep collaborating with so many talented and community minded musicians.

“I’m a little blown away by the Valley music scene… The people, it doesn’t seem like there’s a whole lot of, ‘me, me, me’ attitude about the music here. It’s all about us, and that’s exciting to me; and there’s some of the best musicians I’ve ever seen in my life out here in the Valley,” Smith said.

Looking long term, Smith aims to bolster the Blues Jam project to the point of possibly involving other hosts since he’s a traveling musician. He said that he plans to start holding 12 bar blues workshops to teach the foundations to budding musicians or anyone interested in learning the blues, with lessons and jam sessions taking place before each show.

“The cool thing about the blues and this jam concept is that if you understand 12 bar blues… then you can sit in with anyone around the world. You don’t need to speak the language,” Smith said.

Smith’s goal is to provide an open and welcoming platform that promotes the blues, musical education, connectedness, and good, old fashioned fun.

“I want people to feel very welcome to come, not be scared like they’re not good enough… Come out and play with us,” Smith said.

HarpDaddy Backcountry Blues Jam is every Sunday at the Schwabenhof bar from 4 to 8 p.m. Next week’s featured musician is Palmer artist Andy Mullen. For more information, visit the “HarpDaddy & The BackCountry Mojo” Facebook page.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com