On Monday nights in New Orleans’ Irish Chann neighborhood, a circle of guitars, fiddles and banjos fills the backroom of NOLA Brewing with the close harmonies of bluegrass. For two hours each week, musicians gather around rows of chairs to sing and play, while customers sip beer and eat pizza nearby.
from katrina recovery to a new orleans bluegrass home
The weekly “pickin’ party” began nearly 20 years ago, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Musician and organizer Geoff Coats helped launch the jam at the Hi-Ho Lounge on St. Claude Avenue. When that venue was sold, the group needed a new home. Doug Walner, owner of NOLA Brewing, offered them space in his brewery. “This is kind of right in our alley,” he said. “We do a lot of bluegrass music here… it was a good marriage to have the Bluegrass Jam here.” A year later, the sessions are thriving. “Their crowd is growing,” Walner said. “Mondays have become a popular thing here.”
a welcoming circle of musicians
Coats says the jam has always been open to musicians of all levels. “Every week is different, depending on who shows up,” he explained. “But it’s always been very welcoming.” For beginners nervous about joining in, Coats offers reassurance: “People will help you. You can start quietly until you’re comfortable, then lean in more as you gain confidence.”
Eric Schmidt, a guitarist from nearby Chalmette, joined less than a year ago. “I felt lost for the first three months,” he admitted. “But they were very nice. They didn’t kick me out.” Now, Schmidt is being encouraged to lead songs he never thought he’d sing.
Singer Julie Pfeffer came to the group with no guitar experience. “I was 50 years old when I picked it up,” she said. “It took me a long time, but now I can at least play rhythm.”
Fiddler Mathilde Rosi-Marshall, who has played since childhood, called this one of the friendliest jams she has attended. “One of the best parts is creating something unplanned that comes together beautifully,” she said.
passing bluegrass to the next generation
Banjo player Tucker Baker has been part of the pickin’ party for more than a decade. “At the end of the day, this is just a bunch of friends playing around, having a really good time,” he said.
Twice a month, the group offers beginner lessons before the jam. And each week, the circle of players grows wider. “Every time I come here,” Coats said, “the circle just gets bigger and bigger.”
monday night pickin’ party featured on tv
For those seeking the sound of New Orleans bluegrass, they’ll find it every Monday night from 7pm-9pm at Nola Brewing, located at 3033 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans. Phone (504) 896-9996.
3033 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Leave a Reply