Jam Sessions - Every Monday Evening All abilities welcome! Every Monday night, the Kings Arms, Heaton, Bradford plays host to many talented musicians who put their arrogance and egos aside to join together and create some fantastic and unique music in an open jam night. Having been established for over 6 months, the jam night has rapidly built up a following of loyal musicians that acknowledge and appreciate each other’s talents where live music can be played and enjoyed in a relaxed and friendly environment. Andy Greenough and Rosie Walsh (landlords) took over the Kings Arms back in October and have created a traditional yet warm and welcoming pub with an emphasis on “Keeping Live Music Live”, and of course good beer…. They have live bands performing every weekend with “open mic nights” alternate Saturdays and of course the jam nights on Monday nights are arguably the best night of the week. One of the things that make the Kings Arms jam nights so successful apart from the understated talent of many musicians that partake is the wide variety of musical instruments involved. Guitars, banjos, harmonicas, tin whistles, recorders, violas, flutes, bongo drums, tablas and even an Appalachian Dulcimer as well as a capella vocal prose and some poetry recited to music. With this diverse combination of musical instruments one may wonder what sort of cacophony is created however to the contrary, with the subtleties of good musicians and sensitivity in their playing together novel renditions of older classics such as “House of the Rising Sun” and “Knockin’ on Heavens Door”, as well as some more traditional folk music like “The Leaving of Liverpool”, “Raglan Road”, and “Fiddlers Green” that has now become the adopted Kings Arms ‘anthem’ bring new energy into music previously thought of as having been over played. Another attraction to this jam night is the variety of different musicians that come along to make good music. Local Bradford bands such as Milestone, Scarlett Heights and Misspent Youth often frequent this great venue to play in an informal atmosphere and as well as the regular followers of this jam night where many new friendships have been made through music, every night sees new faces in through the door as word spreads around Yorkshire with musicians coming from as far a field as Halifax, Hebden Bridge and Keighley to either join in with the music making or simply just to enjoy the multitude of musicians improving together creating great music. One of the great things about the variety of musicians and spectators alike is that where some venues can become stagnant with the same few musicians monopolising the night playing the same sets, every night is unique keeping a freshness and spontaneous energy about the night adding even more to the great atmosphere that is experienced by all on Monday nights. With music being played from many different styles and genres from rock n roll to blues, contemporary jazz, classical and folk music as well as most styles in between one night is never the same as the next. The Kings Arms jam night offers something for everyone, musicians and spectators alike and both as important as each other so why not pop in for a great and original night. Monday is the new Saturday so Keep Live Music Live. By Alia Szurma-Hasami