Jazz In Chiang Rai

[changraider]

Any musicians in CR interested in getting together on a regular basis?

[extexthai]

Good luck on your search for area musicians. I have tried in other genres and nothing manifested from it. But who knows...perhaps they just haven't came out of the closet, yet. I live in Phayao and I love jazz, and have been experimenting with jazz harmonica somewhat, but far from where I would like to be to do outside my closet. I also play drums, some woodwinds/reeds and play at guitar. I have worked with real guitar players in the past, and I know I am not one, but that does not keep me from plinking and plucking. Besides, I only get in CR once a month at the most. Not enough to commit to practice. By the way, what is your instrument of preference? ett

[changraider]

Hi Tex, nice to hear from another musician, i stick to guitar these days, and recently i've been working on bebop and swing era stuff - the golden age of jazz guitar :-) it'll be interesting to see what sorit of musos there are lurking in the undergrowth, who knows, could be fun...

[KimoMax]

Some things may be happening toward getting musicians together by the end of August.

Ken @ the Frisbee Golf course and Zip Line on the road to the Elephant Camp is a musician and has a place to get together at his club house there.

Send me a PM or get with Ken for more info.

[harrry]

Even though this is CR and not CM it may be worth reading the thread on Musicians aressted for no work permit.

[KimoMax]

This has nothing to do with getting paid for gigs, or taking jobs from Thai's. Just fun music and get together.

It is not against Visa rules to just get together to play in non-commercial places.

Nor is it against the rules to go up on stage and jam without compensation for a couple songs with a Thai "House Band".

Besides, there are ways to get entertainment temp work permits thru the right persons if need warrant playing a paid gig.

How do you think all the Foreign non-Thai Top named groups and performers can play at large venues throughout Thailand.

The money has to be worth it to the promoter to make such sponsorhip, which is easy if you know the right people and how to do it.

[harrry]

This has nothing to do with getting paid for gigs, or taking jobs from Thai's. Just fun music and get together.

It is not against Visa rules to just get together to play in non-commercial places.

Nor is it against the rules to go up on stage and jam without compensation for a couple songs with a Thai "House Band".

Besides, there are ways to get entertainment temp work permits thru the right persons if need warrant playing a paid gig.

How do you think all the Foreign non-Thai Top named groups and performers can play at large venues throughout Thailand.

The money has to be worth it to the promoter to make such sponsorhip, which is easy if you know the right people and how to do it.

As I said...read the thread...and the statement of the labor dept. Several people are sorry they did just that.

[SkyRider]

I play bass guitar, rock-n-roll - I'm in New York now and was thinking of going to Thailand for a few months to hook up with some other musicians and play. But I read last night that they are arresting foreign musicians in Chiang Mai for playing without a work permit, even if they play for free!

[changraider]

I play bass guitar, rock-n-roll - I'm in New York now and was thinking of going to Thailand for a few months to hook up with some other musicians and play. But I read last night that they are arresting foreign musicians in Chiang Mai for playing without a work permit, even if they play for free!

Hi Jet, yes there were a handfull of arrests earlier this year in Chiang Mai. Kimo's reply is absolutely correct regarding the legal aspects, but what Harry says is true also - one of those arrested was a genuine tourist standing up at an open mic night (the others were long-term residents playing regularly without permits). I was living in CM last year and there is a thriving music scene there with some great expat and Thai musicians. Lots more info on the CM forum or PM me, cheers.

[passingas]

I play bass guitar, rock-n-roll - I'm in New York now and was thinking of going to Thailand for a few months to hook up with some other musicians and play. But I read last night that they are arresting foreign musicians in Chiang Mai for playing without a work permit, even if they play for free!

Hi Jet, yes there were a handfull of arrests earlier this year in Chiang Mai. Kimo's reply is absolutely correct regarding the legal aspects, but what Harry says is true also - one of those arrested was a genuine tourist standing up at an open mic night (the others were long-term residents playing regularly without permits). I was living in CM last year and there is a thriving music scene there with some great expat and Thai musicians. Lots more info on the CM forum or PM me, cheers.

Holy Bologny...not the music gestapo! Day-ammm. Just when I thought it was safe to play. pg

[changraider]

Just repeating this because there are probably some seasonal long-termers arriving.

Any musicians out there interested in jazz changes please pm.

[Limbo]

As far as I know Sam's 'Cat Bar' has always been the place for jam sessions.

I don't know if the scene in the mean time moved a couple of doors further

to the Peace/Reggae Bar, but I think both places have instruments for travelling

musicians that didn't bring their own.

Why not talk to Sam, he loves to play himself and through the years he has

developed a feeling that allows him to back up foreigners musically whatever

style they are adapted to.

Check Youtube for examples and details.

One member of the group 'Belge' is still around I think. I almost fell of

my chair when they gave their last concert in Mae Chan. It was superb!

I couldn't believe my ears. He will know the details.

The last big jazz concert in Chiang Rai was of the Thai Autobahn ensemble.

It would be really great to have a jazz evening. So far only the North Hotel

organized a weekly 'turntable jazz' Friday (or was it Saturday?), but I don't

know if they still do.

Go for it gentlemen and let us know when you go public.

There are some very fine foreign musicians in Chiang Rai, but I am afraid that

a few of them that were member of this forum left us already quite a while ago.

I never heard Brahmburger play, but he might be our man.

Limbo

[KimoMax]

Limbo, Unfortunately, that Reggae Bar is not real music venue and there are no real insturments there. It is good place for Hippie Backpackers to have a good time, beat the Bongo's a little and maybe play an acoustic guitar, but not much more.

The other place mentioned, is "HIs Way, or the HighWay". Too many good musicians have had unpleasant experiences there Jamming.

It's HIS place, and he can do as he pleases.

A good Moto to keep in mind if Jamming there is "Don't Rock the Boat".

Edited November 16, 2011 by KimoMax

[KimoMax]

There have been previous attempts to get Music things going here in CR.

Many really fine talented expat Musicians.

Problem is, lack of comittment on the part of many musicians to get together regularly, and personal differences in styles of music.

In order to hav regular music or jam sessions, there needs to be a core group of a band that others can come join in with.

Getting that "Core Group" has been difficult at best here in Chiang Rai

[changraider]

I'm just interested in meeting musicians interested in jazz for a regular get together, I'm not trying to get a gigging band together or to develop a CR music scene. Just a bit of sanuk.

[KimoMax]

Dificult at best to get people to comitt to meeting regularly. Regardless of the style, you still need to have a core group. Even in Jazz Guitar, you need at least a Jazz Guitarist, Bass, and Jazz Drummer.

If any one of these people flake out, you are left with nothing but waisted time.

Several have tried to get musicians together on a regular basis FOR FUN regardless of their style.

Good luck in your search.

Even the OP never showed to the invites to make music, any music, citing interest in Jazz Only.

Still need a core group to make things happen. Without that, you might as well just practive at home alone or go Jam somewhere ?

Only suggestion at the moment is to go to Chiang Mai........ But they have had their problems with Immigration and the Police.

Edited November 16, 2011 by KimoMax

[changraider]

Just to clarify, if necessary, why I started this thread, I'm interested in meeting musicians, any instrument, who get fun out of playing jazz changes, the rest of it is unimportant, and can easily be arranged. Please pm.

[svenivan]

Even in Jazz Guitar, you need at least a Jazz Guitarist, Bass, and Jazz Drummer.

If any one of these people flake out, you are left with nothing but waisted time.

I don't know about that Kimo. I played in a group for a couple of years when I was younger. We were 5 guys and rehearsed 2 times a week and if one of the guys did not come we played any way. And then maybe one of the guys were sitting in temporary for the missing one, changing instruments. Made it more fun.

One of our last gigs we played in a small place in middle of nowhere, 50 km north of Stockholm. It was Midsummer Eve, the most important evening for party in the year in Sweden. There was a stage and maybe a couple of hundred people of all ages.

After the second break our singer and both guitarplayers were too drunk to get up on the stage. But me, playing the base, and the drummer played for 1.5 hours just so the people had some rythm to dance to. No problemas!

[Limbo]

Limbo, Unfortunately, that Reggae Bar is not real music venue and there are no real insturments there. It is good place for Hippie Backpackers to have a good time, beat the Bongo's a little and maybe play an acoustic guitar, but not much more.

The other place mentioned, is "HIs Way, or the HighWay". Too many good musicians have had unpleasant experiences there Jamming.

It's HIS place, and he can do as he pleases.

A good Moto to keep in mind if Jamming there is "Don't Rock the Boat".

Thanks for your reaction KimoMax, though sorry to hear that it isn't any more what it was or

what it might have been before.

@Svenivan: That's the spirit of Midsommarafton, that everlasting day that swallows the night

and lasts longer than any musician could cope with. Your dedication had must have had the

same heroic dimensions and substance that gave fame to for instance Volvo, Scania and Saab 555!

My worst midsummer I spent in a rescue cabin not far from the North Cape (a snowstorm that

lasted three days, at midsummer!!!). Without even the smallest 'Koskenkorva'.

Dutch-Australian H. is an enthousiastic musician. He plays guitar, likes jazz and sings.

Several people came to play at his house, among which a Thai flutist.

Some people even went there to listen ...

Name a place and a time and go for it!

Limbo

[KimoMax]

So Sven is the One that Statrted the Drum and Bass Craze ....

Found Sven's old party video.

Edited November 17, 2011 by KimoMax

[KimoMax]

Ken at the Chiang Rai Adventure Park Frisbee Golf and Rock Climbing, is a musician that plays guitar, bass, and drums.

Think he was trying to get a friday or saturday nite music thing going at his Adventure Park.

He is a dedicated musician, and seems to play a lot of different styles including jazz and blues.

Didn't mean to sound negative in yesterdays postings.

Just frustrated from recent attempts of trying to get music, any music for fun together with the really good talents in Chaing Rai.