Bennetti’s open Jazz n Blues sessions this year are last Thursday of March, May, July, September, November. All held at the Soleil Couchant, 16310 Verneuil, France. Starting around 8pm.

These sessions are open to all musicians but you must make contact beforehand. You will also need to become an adherent to our association at a cost of 5 euros.

Ces sessions sont ouvertes à tous les musiciens mais vous devez prendre contact à l’avance. Vous devrez également adhérer à notre association à un coût de 5 euros.

Here’s the skinny….

Objective – to create a warm loving environment in which like minded musicians can meet, play, share, grow, and get hip!

A list of songs for the session will be posted by me well in advance. This gives those wishing to take part a chance to brush up on them. We want people to feel comfortable, so, no surprises – please don’t just turn up and ask to play something
that isn’t on the list. This may make people uncomfortable, and while ‘outside the comfort zone’ is often where the magic happens we don’t want to put people on the spot or embarrass them.

We usually include Jazz standards – easy ones that everybody knows and some more challenging ones. We also include a good dollop of blues.

The ‘house band’ is made up of very experienced pro’ standard players.

Here is an example ‘hit list’ from last year….the hit list is compiled by me. I do take suggestions.

All Your Love – Otis Rush
Smoke on thw Water – Deep Purple
Tulsa Time – Don Williams
Moondance – Van Morrison
Summertime – Gershwin
Caught a Touch of Your Love – Diane Schuur
This Masquerade – Leon Russell
Sunny – Bobby Hebb – Am
Mornin – Al Jarreau – F
Out of Time – Chris Farlowe
Before You Accuse Me – Bo Diddley – E
Nothing Takes the Place of You – Tab Benoit
Help the Poor – Robben Ford – Dm
Be Authentic – Tim Bragg – D
Shoe on the Other Foot – D
The Thrill is Gone – Gm
Rainy Day Women – – Bob Dylan
To Be Alone With You – Bob Dylan

I provide PA and mics. 2 guitar amplifiers (no effect pedals allowed – bring own guitar and lead.
There is a drummer, who lets drummers play his kit (bring own sticks)
Keyboard player who lets players play.
Bassist who lets players use his rig (bring own bass)

It has become a tradition over recent years. Bennetti’s Jazz n Blues Club Boxing Day session at the Soleil Couchant….starting about 1pm.
It’s always packed, it’s always great! Can’t wait! Merry Christmas Everyone! 🙂

The October session is at the Soleil Couchant on 27th starting around 8pm. This should be a great session. We have a real Jazz guitarist visiting for the first time. Also we have Steve Trotter’s new band ‘Blues System’ kicking off the second half…..playing a short set including a song from local musician/songwriter Tim Bragg’s latest album ‘Be Authentic. Come along and join in why don’tcha? 🙂

Today is Fete de la Musique day in France. It’s the day when just about every bar, every town, across France puts on live music. This year I’m lucky enough to be in one of the bands chosen to play in the town of Saint Junien. Yep, Jazz a la Carte will be playing from 8:30 pm in avenue Barbusse. You can find details of all the bands playing in Saint Junien here. Meanwhile, here’s the poster….