Every Sunday afternoon, Brian Rezac heads to Bootstrap Brewing with his ukulele, a bag of kazoos, a laptop, and a large list of songs—the supplies he needs to host a two-hour ukulele jam session.
Singing while strumming a four-string instrument in public with 60 to 90 band members may sound intimidating, but Rezac emphasizes the point of this gathering isn’t musical perfection. It’s community.
Our goal is not to sound good,” he says. “That’s an accident if it happens. That’s not the point of it. The point is to play together and be together.”
Launched more than seven years ago, the Loco Ukulele Jam began as an experiment after Rezac, an experienced guitar player and open mic host, took up the ukulele. He and the owners of Bootstrap Brewing got to talking and decided to try a music circle on Sunday afternoons—what Rezac jokes is the quiet, “kiss-of-death” time. The first Sunday, about seven people showed up to play together. Soon, the event grew. Today, if only 60 people show up, it’s considered a slow week.
The gathering is from 2 to 4 p.m., but attendees often show up early—some in Hawaiian or tie-dye shirts—to grab a refreshment, catch up with one another, and find a seat among the many tables
and chairs.
All ages and skill levels are welcome. If someone doesn’t have a ukulele, they can borrow one. If they don’t know how to play the instrument, Rezac, his friend Rod Wallace, or any of the many other experienced players can offer pointers. And if someone simply does not want to play a ukulele, they can grab a kazoo.
“It’s open and engaging and welcoming,” says Wallace, who substitutes for Rezac if he misses a week. “If you don’t know your chords, that’s OK here.”
Dozens of regulars consider the jam session to be an integral part of their weekly routine.
“I work my whole week for this,” says regular Brian Dvorak, who’s been attending for more than five years.
For many attendees, it’s about more than playing an instrument. This group provides support in good times and bad. Rezac recalls a regular bringing him a thank-you card a couple of years back. She shared that she started coming to the jam sessions after her husband passed away. Those Sunday afternoons helped her feel less lonely.
“That was a big one, to get that kind of feedback,” Rezac says. “But this is what it’s about—the group, the community.”
Photographs by Matt Ferro