Jam Camp
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Jam Camp

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"Jam Camp Tweaks the Jazzers"

"Hailing from the Pacific northwest, this dual guitar led quintet hearkens memories of the early Grateful Dead style of jamming, amid a touch of progressive rock, jazz, Southern rock and more. Marked by clean licks, and a glowing sound, the band merges melodic choruses with in-the-pocket grooves amid a few quotes lifted from Santana and C, S, N &Y. At times, the overall vibe might be reminiscent of those classic, ‘60s and ‘70s outdoor rock festivals. But the band leans a bit more towards the jazz realm, largely due to Steven Munger’s hard-boiled sax work. Either way, it’s tastefully done! And it’s not all about endless riffing and technical calisthenics as the soloists’ generally rework a given melody amid climactically oriented movements.
The group abides by a tension and relief motif as guitarists Michael Smith (stereo right) and David Broyles (stereo left) raise the ante on several occasions in concert with counterbalancing themes. Nonetheless, there’s quite a bit of substance inherent with this surprisingly focused and purposeful jam-based outing.(Recommended…)"
--Glenn Astarita
- JazzReview.com


"CD Reviews: Black Hills Jam"

"From the northwest US, comes a experimental prog-acid-fusion-rock explosion of talent and self endulgence. This is a great CD...

The first thought that comes to mind when putting this disc on, is "Man, this band is all about having fun", and that shines through bueatifully on here... Tons of jamming and extended solos. "Black Hills Jam" also reminds me alot of Ozric Tentacles, only without all the Electronix, and no farting synths. Actually, Jam Camp doesnt have any keyboards at all. (I think thats where the rock aspect comes from ;-) The band is David Broyles on stereo left guitars, Michael "Smitty" Smith on stereo right guitars, Steven Munger on Sax, Jess White on Bass, and Joel Veatch on Drums. The character of this band reminds me of Phish, and moments of the music remind me of other "Jam bands" such as The Greatful Dead, and OAR. Hell, at times even reminds me of something that Bela Fleck would do, or even the more experimental moments in the Flower Kings catalogue. This disc is *definitely* for fans of (these) bands.

I can't speak enough about the talent of this band. All band members completely OWNS their instrument... It might take a while, but Jam Camp will be a band that many will know about."
--Tony Piccoli, Ytsejam Progressive Rock Site

"I usually try to avoid saying things like “this band sounds like [insert name of band here],” but in the case of the Pacific Northwest’s Jam Camp it becomes necessary. The name of the band implies just what it actually is, a progressive instrumental jam band that can take its direction any way it seems to desire at any particular moment.

Take, for instance, the opening title track to their latest CD, Black Hills Jam – Preserves Vol. 2. The 15-minute-plus track begins with a simple enough groove with the soft electric guitar playing of David Broyles and Michael “Smitty” Smith and the crisp drum sounds of Joel Veatch bringing to mind a more laid-back version of Djam Karet, getting even more laid back when Steven Munger adds some sax riffs. Jess White adds very understated bass guitar lines. Over four minutes into the song, the feel gets heavier from the guitars for a sudden mood shift. Then it can take on more of a feel like Soft Machine or Traffic, with Broyles pulling out a guitar bit reminiscent of the more familiar, softer lines David Gilmour laid down in Pink Floyd’s “Us And Them.” They’re noodling to a solid groove, like the best jam bands do.

That, in essence, is Jam Camp.

On the second tune, “Wormhole,” what can jump immediately to mind is “Frank Zappa Meets the Dixie Dregs” (much like when Dweezil joined Steve Morse to play “Peaches En Regalia” on the Dregs’ live California Screamin’) with its more complex boogie bounce and riffing. Very unique, good stuff. Munger becomes a much stronger presence here on sax, making the echoes of Ian Underwood’s soloing on Zappa’s Hot Rats start to jump right out at the listener.

“Westside Highway” makes a nice, jazzy traveling tune with smooth guitar sounds from Broyles and Smith in one of the “more composed” moments on this CD. “Trees” was penned by Munger, and he really stands out here. He is one very smooth player on the reed, and his riffing is the centerpiece of this jam. At the same time, it gives all the players a chance to step out – White’s bass technique in particular is brought out more in this one. But in “Trees,” Munger comes across like a sax player to remember.

“Groove Monkey” is also a good driving tune, with Veatch’s snare serving as the main piston. Smith and Broyles trade cool guitar licks, not relying on speed so much as bringing out a good feel and helping keep a steady rhythm in between.

When it comes to the 15-minute “Swamp Gas & Moonshine,” you pretty much get what the title implies, again with a touch of Dregs, Grateful Dead, a nifty Duane Allman slide guitar sound from Smith and Broyles serving in more of the “Dickey Betts straight man” role. But what starts out as more of an easy, down-home jam becomes much more frenetic, even getting into more of a psychedelic feel, meaning you’re in for a pretty long, cool ride, finishing right back where they started with that old slow, Southern-style groove.

The CD concludes with “Dangerous In Deed,” a song with a heavier feel and more cool sounds from Munger on sax weaving a fairly complex tapestry of sounds with his bandmates around him. White shows nice bass chops here too.

Jam Camp provides a fine example that there’s much more that can come out of the Pacific Northwest besides coffeehouses and grunge music. Like the sweet preserves that Grandma used to make, Jam Camp is indeed quite tasty."
--Progressive Ears.com

"With a name like Jam Camp, you might expect this band to be another one of the many Phish imitators out there, but these guys are something different. They do have something in common with the jam bands, in that Jam Camp is all about jamming. Starting with a few loose ideas the band - consisting of David Broyles and Michael "Smitty" Smith on guitars, Steve Munger on sax, Jess White on bass, and Joel Veatch on drums -reference numerous genres in rock from classic rock and blues bands, especially the Allman Brothers, more angular prog territory like King Crimson, and fusion and jazz artists like Al DiMeola and Brand X, and from there they improvise their hearts out, recording it live as they play. The end result is fusion in its truest sense: a coming together of genres performed by virtuoso musicians. Unlike some of the sterile fusion of more recent years, the textures here are warm and vibrant, with a classic 70's feel, as the guitar-duels snake in and out of the rhythm section, and Munger's gorgeous sax soars over it all. You can just tell these guys love what they're doing, and that they're doing it for the love of it. From the funky swing of the 4-minute Wormhole to the epic 15-minute jams of Swamp Gas & Moonshine and the title track, this is a solid 70-minutes of terrific instrumental music."
--Jeff Fitzgerald, Aural Innovations #29

- various


"Enjoy The Music!"

"Sweet Jesus what a great album this is! Jam Camp could not have selected a better name for their band. Its like saying-welcome to camp, pick your instrument and get ready to play for long periods with a mindset of improvisation from start to finish, then if you make it through one session you are officially initiated and can come back again to do it all over again. Sounds like fun if you are a musician and if you dig music like this. I am sure you will want to invite yourself to several sessions of this CD before fully ingesting everything they have to offer. This is a home cooked musical meal, just as the old-fashioned preserves CD cover implies-since 1989 from the great Northwest with quality assured.

They live up to their advertisement as Black Hills Jam-Preserves Volume 2 is some of the best rock fusion I have had the pleasure to enjoy since I was first turned onto fusion with the Al Di Meola classic Electric Rendezvous in 1982. The bluesy country like workout "Swamp Gas & Moonshine" reminded me one of one my favorite instrumental bands The Hellecasters. Believe me, these are compliments of the highest order, and those of you that know your music will surely agree without hesitation. Attention all Allman Brothers fans, this one is for you, "Black Hills Jam/Mountain Jam," listen well and soak up the southern rock vibes.

Equal parts rock, jam, jazz, fusion and blues, Jam Camp takes you on a non-stop drive through seven striking and dissimilar tracks ranging from four to fifteen minutes in length. The best part about listening to this kind of music is that it seems to all flow together. It is like listening to one long song that constantly changes. I love music that features every genre or style you could possibly imagine played at varying speeds and decibel levels... that creates a myriad of atmospheres and moods for those that demand complex and challenging music.

David Broyles and Michael Smith take their six-strings through the paces and then some while Jess White (bass) and Joel Veatch (drums) are able to provide the odd time signatures and somehow get everyone else in sync, then Steve Munger adds his smooth sax vibe to complete their sound, and what a complete sound it is. This is a magnificent combination of styles and textures all wrapped into one savory lip smackin' treat, just like grandma’s homemade jelly, yes sir, it doesn't get any more original and purer than this. Kind of sounds like a commercial Andy Griffith would do for Ritz Crackers or something doesn't it? Well, trust me I am not talking about food here, I am talking about some of the best music you will ever give your ears the opportunity to hear. No words are necessary to complete the musical circle for this band, when you have a bunch of outstanding musicians in the same room anything can happen, and this CD is proof.

An interesting note for you techies out there, this music was recorded live directly to DAT. I would think live in the studio music is one of the more difficult recordings to capture and Jam Camp does it as if it’s a walk in the park. This is an amazing band and one that I want to hear more of soon."
--Keith Hanneleck, EnjoyThe Music.com - Keith Hannaleck


"More Reviews: Black Hills Jam"

"The music by this band is an imaginative combination of elements typical of Jazz and others of an avantgarde character near to Progressive Rock. Part of the music is merry, even boisterous, whereas other themes have a certain melancoly touch. The result is a colourful tapestry of soundscapes that will no doubt appeal to the lovers of these musical genres, while at the same time aiming at a wider audience."
--Derek Doarn, Amazings

"Jam Camp is a progressive instrumental jam band from the Pacific Northwest of the USA. A five-piece band, the group features dual lead guitarists David Broyles and Michael Smith, a rhythm section of Jess White (bass) and Joel Veatch (drums) and is rounded off by Steve Munger on sax. What you get on this second album by the band is exactly what you'd expect: a collection of studio jams recorded live to DAT. However, don't consider that the pieces are just endless noodling without form or direction, each track has a definite structure, is well conceived and thought out and, to cap it all, is superbly played. The level of understanding between the musicians is phenomenal; any experimental psychologists investigating telepathy should investigate these guys because if it exists, they've got it!

With an average running time of 10 minutes, each track has the space to develop and explore themes, craftily blending jazz fusion, prog, rock and a dash of blues. The title track, Black Hills Jam is a tribute to the southern fried rock and blues of the Allman Brothers Band, although there are a couple of nods to other musical influences, as evidenced by the inclusion of short riffs that will be easily identified by fans of Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana. The Allmans, along with Lynyrd Skynyrd, are also a key reference on Swamp Gas & Moonshine that locks into a full-on and sustained groove interspersed with more melodic and reflective interludes. Melody is something that differentiates this group from a lot of other 'jam bands'; these pieces have definite tunes! Wormhole and Westside Highway ably demonstrate the jazz sensibilities of the group with Munger playing a particularly prominent role. The latter track also features some great guitar solos. One of the great things about the album's production is that the two guitarists are isolated - Broyles on the left channel and Smith on the right. The allows one to identify the soloists and adds a 'call and answer' effect with the two guitarists trading solos. Add the sax straight down the middle and you have the recipe for a wonderful sonic experience!

The tempo is taken down a bit for the gentler Trees, one of the first jams recorded with Steve Munger. With intricate guitar passages based round repetitive chord structures the overall piece is quite mesmerising. (An extended version of this track, some 40% longer, is available from the band's website). Things get a bit funkier with Groove Monkey with White laying down an insistent bass line and Veatch hammering out the beat while simultaneously making more use of a hi-hat that I've heard in a long while. Final track, Dangerous In Deed, is a bonus number that was originally included on the Beyond Rock compilation CD issued by Art Sake Records in 1992. A more rockier number with a dirtier sax lead line, it's a great way to close off the album.

People who love jam bands of the ilk of the Allmans, Dave Matthews Band and even the Grateful Dead and Phish will fall in love with this album at first hearing. Even if you are not that fond of those particular bands, Jam Camp are still worth a listen; one cannot fail to be impressed by the superb musicianship and musical inventiveness of the group. The website features a great variety of samples from both albums, and some unreleased material to boot, so check them out, pack your rucksack and join the camp!"
--Mark Hughes, Dutch Progressive Rock Pages - various


"Progressive Rock Review"

"The spirit of the late 60's-early 70's is alive and well within the grooves of the sophomore release from instrumental ensemble Jam Camp. Comprised of two guitarists, sax, bass, and drums, the music on Black Hills Jam rocks with tons of intensity and fire, culminating in a potent brew of jazz fusion, hard rock, prog, and extended jams. There's a lot of soul in these songs to go along with plenty of instrumental fireworks, so if technical proficiency mixed with melody and tasty grooves sounds appealing, this just might be for you.

There's plenty of variety on these seven tunes to please just about any listener. "Westside Highway" takes the best of Passport or Spyro Gyra, with sax player Steven Munger leading the charge, as he packs in an extended solo which is then followed by a blistering lead from David Broyles on guitar. It's a fun jazzy jam with a touch of funk that will really have you tapping your toes. For more aggressive action, check out the rampaging fusion of "Black Hills Jam", where Broyles and Michael "Smitty" Smith trade some fiery guitar solos, with Munger's sax also fighting for supremacy, or the rocking "Wormhole", which seems to be somewhat of a homage to Eric Johnson's old fusion band Electromagnets. You can also hear some bits of vintage Pat Metheny, as well as some of the bands from the ECM label on these two tracks.

"Trees" is a much more laidback, progressive number, with lilting guitar chords and Munger's pleading sax work, but the band changes gears totally on "Groove Monkey", a bouncy number more in the blues/funk camp, which features some neat whammy bar leads from Smith. Southern Rock fans will hear a little Allman Brothers/Lynyrd Skynyrd/Little Feat on the epic "Swamp Gas & Moonshine", which is highlighted by some serious slide guitar at the beginning before becoming a full-on jam, with the three soloists recklessly winding around each other and the furious rhythm section of bassist Jess White & drummer Joel Veatch locked in a tight groove. The tumultuous closer "Dangerous in Deed" brings to mind the Dixie Dregs at times with its complex rhythms, intricate lead work, and country flavor.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable CD from a hot instrumental group that has a lot to offer. Whether your gig is jazz, rock, prog, hard rock, or just good guitar music, this should satisfy your listening taste buds for weeks to come. Highly recommended!"
--Pete Pardo

Track Listing
1) Black Hills Jam (15:27)
2) Wormhole (4:23)
3) Westside Highway (7:03)
4) Trees (10:42)
5) Groove Monkey (8:39)
6) Swamp Gas & Moonshine (15:15)
7) Dangerous in Deed (7:50)
Total Time
69:29
- Sea of Traquility


"Modern Drummer Accolades"

"Jam Camp is an instrumental improv band drawing on rock, funk, jazz, blues and other sources. Each song has a distinct feel and groove, and everyone in the band plays exceptionally, displaying feel, technique, solid musicianship and creativity within the groovy vibe. JOEL VEATCH's drumming is superb in his support of the group, driving the beat, filling in with little variations and comments, and prodding his bandmates. This is catchy, creative, and very fun music."
--Martin Patmos - Modern Drummer Magazine


"GuitarWorld Recognizes Jam Camp"

"On Black Hills Jam, the members of Jam Camp gleefully explore the outer-reaches of blues-based rock, fearlessly turning down dark alleys and rumaging through the attics of classic rock improv. It's been a long while since I've heard such sure-footed musicians having so much fun while taking so many risks. Now leave me alone, so I can put my headphones back on and reboard the Jam Camp bus!"
--Alan Paul - GuitarWorld Magazine


"Reviews: Jam Camp Debut CD"

"Instrumental rock fans unite; this disc has it all! Guitarists David Broyles and Michael Smith, bassist Jess White and drummer Joel Veatch reference tons of people, bands and ideals: Dixie Dregs, Allan Holdsworth (circa IOU), Pat Methany, Passport, Steve Howe, Patrick O'Hearn (on the surreal electronic ditty "Industrial Dawn"), Andy Summers, Leo Kottke. In other words, Jam Camp's debut dabbles in laissez-faire blues ("Shake Those Blues"), breezy jazz-rock ("West 8"), melodic introspective rock ("Circles"), modes of user-friendly boogie-funk, West Coast jazz-psychedelia and just about everything in between... Jam Camp do what they do with great skill and ease." -i/e Magazine

"Primary influences seem to be the 1980's instrumental work of Frank Zappa, touches of Return to Forever and Shadowfax." - Audion, UK

"Jam Camp is a four-man group that apparently gets together for the joy of just playing... I sure hope they decide to make this an on going series and release the rest of their holdings. Jam Camp practices fusion along the lines of Janne Schaeffer, Lee Ritenour, Crossfire and all those others who inhabit that shadow world of not-jazz-not-prog fusion that critics have a tough time with. I am reminded of one of my personal favorites... Harvey Mandel. Mandel put out a series of solo LPs that were significantly different from his work with Canned Heat, PF & DA and all those blues cats. Jam Camp has that same driving upbeat instrumentality, adventurous, harmonic and cut with just enough mellow spirit to take the edge off it all. Sort of whisky sippin' music for connoisseurs of twilight musical categories." - Camera Obscura

"What a pleasant surprise. Jam Camp is a compilation of talent featuring David Broyles and Michael Smith on guitar, Jess White on bass, and Joel Veatch on drums. What these guys do, and damned well, is play jazz, rock and blues. At times Jam Camp plays in a style reminiscent of Al DiMeola, at times they sound like an ECM group, and in one instance you'd swear you were listening to ZZ Top. There are also many moments when I am reminded of the Northwest Jazz Sextet. What's impressive is that the band establishes their own tone and style; they sound kind of like those other folks without being derivative. Their music is original, and it's quite good." - The Rocket - various


"Press Highlights"

"It's been a long while since I've heard such sure-footed musicians having so much fun while taking so many risks."
--Alan Paul, GuitarWorld Magazine

"The best 'jam' record I've heard in years."
--Mick Skidmore, Relix Magazine

"Crunchy guitar riffs, funky bass parts, freeforming saxophones, it's as if the Allman Brothers got together with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and had themselves a little jamming baby... Absolutely outstanding!"
--Stuart Hamilton, Space Rock

"Hearkens to the early Grateful Dead style of jamming, amid touches of progressive rock, jazz, southern rock and more... reminiscent of those classic '60s and '70s outdoor rock festivals."
--Glenn Astarita, JazzReview

"(Black Hills Jam) is a thoroughly enjoyable CD from a hot instrumental group... whether your gig is jazz, rock, prog, or hard-rock, this should satisfy."
--Pete Pardo, Sea of Tranquility

"Imagine Frank Zappa, Jimmy Page, Jerry Garcia, and a host of other fabulous music-makers improvising... the resulting music would likely sound like Jam Camp's Black Hills Jam."
--Thea Cooke, MXDWN.com

"An experimental prog-acid-fusion-rock explosion of talent... This is a great CD!"
-- Ytsejam.com

"This is an amazing band and one that I want to hear more of soon."
-- ProgressiveWorld

"Jam Camp explores a genre-defying mix of music which is sometimes jazzy and sometimes full-frontal assualt rock and roll... Fans of the instrumental and experimental need look no further!"
-- MISH MASH Music Reviews

"If you are into high energy instrumental rock/fusion you should try some of this Black Hills Jam."
-- ProGGnosis

"Black Hills Jam is definitely a masterpiece."
--Vitaly Menshikov, Progressor

"Jam Camp plays exceptionally, displaying feel, technique, solid musicianship and creativity within the groovy vibe... This is catchy, creative, and very fun music."
--Modern Drummer Magazine, April 2005 - various


Discography

Jam Camp: Live!
Black Hills Jam - Preserves Vol. 2
Jam Camp

Jam Camp releases have received rave reviews and both FM and internet radio-play on shows focused on indie jamband, prog-rock and jazz music.

Reviews:
"It's been a long while since I've heard such sure-footed musicians having so much fun while taking so many risks."
--Alan Paul, GuitarWorld Magazine

"The best 'jam' record I've heard in years."
--Mick Skidmore, Relix Magazine

"Jam Camp plays exceptionally, displaying feel, technique, solid musicianship and creativity within the groovy vibe... This is catchy, creative, and very fun music."
--Modern Drummer Magazine

"Crunchy guitar riffs, funky bass parts, freeforming saxophones, it's as if the Allman Brothers got together with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and had themselves a little jamming baby... Absolutely outstanding!"
--Stuart Hamilton, Space Rock

"Hearkens to the early Grateful Dead style of jamming, amid touches of progressive rock, jazz, southern rock and more... reminiscent of those classic '60s and '70s outdoor rock festivals."
--Glenn Astarita, JazzReview

"(Black Hills Jam) is a thoroughly enjoyable CD from a hot instrumental group... whether your gig is jazz, rock, prog, or hard-rock, this should satisfy."
--Pete Pardo, Sea of Tranquility

"Imagine Frank Zappa, Jimmy Page, Jerry Garcia, and a host of other fabulous music-makers improvising... the resulting music would likely sound like Jam Camp's Black Hills Jam."
--Thea Cooke, MXDWN.com

"An experimental prog-acid-fusion-rock explosion of talent... This is a great CD!"
-- Ytsejam.com

"This is an amazing band and one that I want to hear more of soon."
-- ProgressiveWorld

"Jam Camp explores a genre-defying mix of music which is sometimes jazzy and sometimes full-frontal assault rock and roll... Fans of the instrumental and experimental need look no further!"
-- MISH MASH Music Reviews

"If you are into high energy instrumental rock/fusion you should try some of this Black Hills Jam."
-- ProGGnosis

"Black Hills Jam is definitely a masterpiece."
--Vitaly Menshikov, Progressor

Photos

Bio

“Jam Camp is a versatile and volatile instrumental band that’s been around for well over a decade. Stylistically they are all over the place, from prog-rock to jazz, adding fleeting glimpses of Allman Brothers-like rock as well as psychedelia. The band’s latest disc, 'Black Hills Jam,' offers plenty of evidence of its openness and penchant for musical exploration. This is especially notable in the expansive “Trees” and the melodic passages of “Black Hills Jam.” With twin guitars and sax, the band has a lot of freedom for improvising. While his band may exist somewhat on the periphery of the jam scene, the community’s acceptance has opened all sorts of possibilities for Jam Camp (think King Crimson meets Umphrey’s McGee with a healthy dose of jazz and expansive musical creativity and expertise). The new disc is the best “jam” record I’ve heard in years.”

\Relix Magazine

About the band:

A passion for making music and sharing the experience with good friends was the impetus that began the regular jam-sessions that evolved into Jam Camp. From a fluid line-up of awesome NW musicians, a stable and startlingly original ensemble emerged and was officially dubbed Jam Camp in 1989. This is a band that creates accessible rock-fusion that has been compared to The Allman Brothers, Mike Stern, Zero, Umphrey's McGee, Widespread Panic and Traffic. Jam Camp grooves hard, embracing a "live" feel-based approach to music, appealing to fans of Rock, Jazz and Jam alike.

David Broyles is the Camp's musical director and a guitar virtuoso. He and the equally talented Michael "Smitty" Smith trade fiery guitar solos and balance each other as melodic and rhythmic partners in the sound collage. The rhythm section of Jess White on bass and Joel Veatch on drums represent a single-minded, rock-solid base from which the musical journey can depart. Add the incredible Steve Munger on sax, and you've the beast for an exhilarating ride! All of the players integrate their diverse musical influences - which range from art-rock and jazz to blues, fusion and funk - to create new ideas for their forays into uncharted musical territory. The goal: let the music chart its own course. Jam Camp takes risks that requires each individual musician in the band to listen, feel and honestly interact with each other; it's that total-immersion and musical surrender that is the genesis of musical "soul," and what Jam Camp is all about.