Jam session terminology.

[Carl Anderton]

The term "jam session" seems a tad modern, doesn't it?

Consider this account written by F. B. Converse, and published in The Cadenza in 1901.

"...I think it was sometime in 1856-57, or about the time of the "border-war" troubles, a jolly party of us, starting from St. Louis, on pleasure bound, decided to take a run up the Missouri.  It was a jolly party, bent on fun, and having a good time generally.  Of course we had a banjo, and would resort to the "Texas," where we had our musical seances.

"Well I do remember our landing in Kansas City.  We were holding one of our seances as we approached the landing, or rather the levee..."

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I therefore submit for consideration that when we have a spontaneous, un-rehearsed, un-structured session of music at the upcoming AEBG, it should forthwith be referred to as a "seance."  

[Ian Bell]

"Seance" works for me! - The very best sessions are the ones when spirits apparate in the room - when everybody's in the pocket and the gods of groove and melody whisper Release the hounds!" I'd better start practising for AEBG