Tervasoihtu, the small bar in one of the refurbished tar warehouses in the market place, is one of Oulu’s favourite spots to sit and relax. Especially when the terrace’s open and you can enjoy the view of the stalls and the sea. In winter you’ll see at most a few stray dogs outdoors - but on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the second floor of the bar becomes the place for Oulu musicians. Because that’s when the jams are on. Local guitarist Piet De Vriendt fills you in on the scene.
  

 

The jam always starts with an opening band; rock and pop on Wednesday and blues and jazz Thursday. Thursdays are hosted by Henri O, local Oulu blues man, and every other week students and teachers from the Oulu Jazz conservatory kick off. When we were there last week it wasn't any different: Jouko Isokangas on bass, Heikki Lindström drums, Michael Myrskog piano, Sven Seebeck saxophone, and Jukka-Pekka Peltoniemi on trumpet. Their excellent, upbeat jazz brings everybody into better spirits.

After about half an hour, when the opening band leaves the stage, you’re free to entertain the audience. The rules are simple: choose your instrument and play your song. Sometimes just one person sings and plays. At times others join you. Jamming is about having fun and making music with friends. Of course you get to show off, but you also learn playing for a live audience. The thrill of playing a good guitar solo, as well as the ice-cold shower when a song goes drastically wrong, are both part of a jam night.

The audience plays an important role in creating the atmosphere. Enthusiasts, they will at the end thank you or not for the music. The challenge is getting their attention, getting the whole bar dead silent for your version of “Mr Bonjangles,” or everybody singing along to “Johnny B Goode.” Even harder than playing an evergreen that everybody likes and knows is entertaining the audience with a good guitar or piano solo. "Sweet home alabama" will always be a sing-a-long, but claps for licks ain’t easy.

  

See pictures here.