Starting Monday, more than six dozen musicians from across the state will gather at UrbanBeat in Lansing to start what they hope will be 60 straight hours of musical jamming. The lowdown at Local Spins.
A Jam Beyond All Jams: Michigan musicians will be pushing their instruments to the limit in Lansing. (Photo Illustration/Local Spins)
As one observer put it, “60 hours is a long time.”
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That’s especially true when it comes to the cadre of Michigan musicians attempting to set a world record for the longest continuous jam session.
But starting Monday at UrbanBeat in Old Town Lansing, more than 70 musicians from across the state will enthusiastically heat up the stage in rotation for 20 straight, three-hour sessions with a goal of non-stop jamming that eclipses the informal record set by about 30 musicians in Granada, Spain, back in August 2023.
The brainchild of Terry Terry, president of the Michigan Institute for Contemporary Art and festival organizer, the idea came after “an improv session with our group, The OtherBand.”
Band member Jeff Boog said the record attempt “will need to incorporate all kinds of music, from blues to chamber to gospel to jazz and bluegrass to all sorts of world music and everything in between” with at least three musicians on stage at all times to keep the music rolling. Both Terry and Boog will be performing as part of the ambitious endeavor.
The mission: to “showcase Michigan’s vibrant music community, unite artists across genres and inspire new creative connections.”
Musicians of every stripe already have applied to participate. Those interested in participating or volunteering can call (517) 371-4600. Get details at longestjam.com.
David Waymire, who’s helping spread word about the world record attempt, said participating musicians have responded to the challenge enthusiastically, with a couple of trial runs taking place on the UrbanBeat stage to review logistics and rehearse the switching of musicians as jamming continues.
“We’ve got fliers and outreach from Detroit to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo to Flint. We are working with people connected to Michigan State University’s world-class jazz and music program to reach out to students there — maybe a few celebrities, but not ready to say since they are looking at schedules,” Waymire said.
“We have heard (Detroit producer and musician) Don Was has learned about it and was intrigued. So Don, if you are interested, we will make room for sure.”
The venue, Waymire said, is well suited for the extended jam session with piano, drums, amplifiers and other gear necessary for the two-and-a-half-day event, which also will be live-streamed on Voume.com.
“A great sound system, baby grand piano, backline and enough of everything to make it happen,” Terry added. “AV techs will be there for the duration.”
The “rules” call for three musicians to perform on stage at all times in continuous fashion without playing song-oriented material.
“Those midnight to noon hours will be a challenge for sure but Jeff, Terry and Maddie Fox, who works with Terry and MICA (Michigan Institute for Contemporary Arts), have a preliminary schedule with folks in all slots,” Waymire said, noting that organizers “will work with walk-ins.” (Signups online at
longestjam.com.) sign up.
Fans are welcome to come watch and donate to the cause, with UrbanBeat at 1213 Turner Road in Old Town Lansing, open 24 hours for the world record attempt.
“We’re hoping for a live audience. Since it will be going 24/7, there will be lots of opportunity to come listen,” Terry said, noting that OtherBand leans toward improvisational jazz. “We listen to each other and explore moods, alter keys, tempo, instrumentation.”
This event is being produced by MICA (Michigan Institute for Contemporary Art), a 501c3 non profit, producer of the annual Michigan BluesFest, JazzFest Michigan and Michigan FunkFest.
Terry said he hopes the event not only spawns some “really great new music” but might help musicians “feel more comfortable jamming versus only playing covers.”
The stage at UrbanBeat
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