They’re a relatively new phenomenon in Utrecht, but you couldn’t imagine nightlife without them now: jam sessions. Student of journalism Nina Swart is part of the local scene. ‘My palms were sweating when I climbed onto the stage.’ A rainy Tuesday evening. The city is practically deserted, but there’s an enticing mix of chat, guitar music, piano, saxophone and vocals coming from Café de Flater. I knew instinctively that I’d be able to leave my worries behind (once I’d dried off from my wet bike ride). It was jam night, an evening when musicians meet up to improvise and make music together. You couldn’t help being blown away by the party vibe that evening. After a bit of jamming, rattle eggs and tambourines were passed around and I happily grabbed one for myself. Then, halfway through a number, a trumpeter appeared in the doorway. The jam leader gave the sign: hold the rhythm for four beats and then change. A saxophonist climbed onto the stage and finished the number with a solo. Applause resounded through the tiny bar. Positive energy Jam sessions are evenings when everyone is welcome to join in. No two sessions are ever alike. So what’s the secret recipe? Positive energy, a friendly vibe, creativity and lots of goodwill towards everyone who just wants to make music. Entrepreneur and musician Marcel Petit was there when it first started in Utrecht. ‘Music academy students had been playing jam sessions in ‘t Oude Pothuys for years. In 2017, the Domkop bar started investing in equipment and they started holding sessions there too. I’ve been in charge of programming for five years now and I’ve seen interest grow and the evenings get busier.’ Café de Flater, Warmoes and Walden bar have all started their own jam sessions now. Shared love I’d been living in Utrecht for two years, but despite everything on offer in the city, the nightlife always felt a bit empty. I missed my friendly local bar in Alkmaar, ’t Kooltuintje, where the main idea was for everyone to have a great evening. This all changed when I discovered the Utrecht jam sessions. In ‘t Kooltuintje, people were united by a shared taste in music and the pool table, but here, they share a love of making music. Music and theatre are my two great passions; I played in musicals, took acting classes and play guitar. My former colleague Jochem plays saxophone and he introduced me to the local jam scene. We were due to play a session in café Warmoes and my palms were sweating with nerves. But after a couple of beers, I plucked up the courage to mount the stage as a singer, and now I’m part of the furniture. The warm welcome from the musicians, and the open, informal atmosphere really make me feel at home. Raising the roof To me, jam sessions are a challenge and fun at the same time, but for other people, they’re a chance to gain experience or network. Rob Flantua is an old hand; he played in the Utrecht band SilenS and then in DAW Band. After the amateur band scene had collapsed during the pandemic, the jam sessions got him back on his feet. ‘I did my first session in Domkop last year. It was electric – we raised the roof. I’ve been playing a modest sideline role ever since, making suggestions, singing along or playing the cajon or guitar.’ The sessions must provide a safe, open place, says Marcel Petit. ‘Every session has its own leader, who makes sure things go smoothly. You agree with each other about how to communicate while you’re playing, but the leader’s there to keep things in check. Remember, you’re in a bar where people might have had a few too many!’ The most important thing is to listen to each other and not to hog the limelight. After all, you’re a team, Marcel continues. ‘You don’t want someone who can’t sing droning on for three numbers.’ Different styles For many people, jamming is their first encounter with making music in public. I know from experience just how nerve-wracking this can be. But taking part in live music is also highly invigorating and definitely worth all the nerves. And you’re never judged in a jam. It’s all about expressing yourself, trying something new and performing without pressure. It’s very important that the setting is safe, informal and friendly. What’s more, the evenings sometimes take a very special turn. Take what happened to Rob, who got himself into money problems and sold his guitar to the postman for €50. Later on, the postman returned the guitar to Rob on the condition that he would keep on playing. So he did, at jam sessions. One evening, he opened up about it. Rob: ‘I told my story and then played You can’t always get what you want by the Rolling Stones. The whole bar sang along. It was a moment of intense musical happiness.’ I can relate to this happiness. People laugh and dance and there’s a lot of energy, including in the audience. Most of them are music fans who don’t expect a concert, and understand that the jam concept is all about experimenting. And they know that they’ll hear different music styles every time. Opening hearts I asked Marcel about his future plans for the scene. ‘I can imagine setting up some larger themed ‘jam festivals’. Warmoes is already doing this with the rap-jams. They’re more organised sessions including a party with DJs. But we also want to keep attracting up-and-coming talent so that we can pass on the love and passion for jamming to the next generation.’ I couldn’t agree more. These sessions bring people together and everyone is equally important. Music unites people, opens their hearts and creates a shared joy that can’t be put into words. To find out more about jam sessions in Utrecht: woutervandijkmuziek.nl/jam-sessions-utrecht