Many thanks to Jefferson and Michael Eskin for letting me know about the sunday session at the “Field” in San Diego’s Gaslamp district. I sat in on their session last Sunday and proceeded to have the most enjoyable session experience I’ve ever had.
Anyone visiting San Diego should definitely stop by the Field on Sunday nights between 6:30 and 11:00 PM to check out this session. Its hosted by teh Boxty Band, a local trad group comprised of very accomplished and tight players. I contacted Jonathan Parker before my trip and he was very gracious and supportive when I arrived with fiddle in hand.
Last Sunday was a busy session night by their normal standards…mymemory is a bit hazy but I think I counted six fiddles, one piper, one bass mando, two Irish flutes, and one whistler…all of them good players. And then there was me. 
It was a bit packed with that many musicians…I’ve never tried to play so squished together with others, and severaltimes narrowly avoided being clocked in the face by the flautist on my left, but my God there are worse problems than being overcrowded with great session players!
The pace of the music was perfect…overall the tunes were at a fast but not manic pace. Unlike the session in my town, where someone starts a tune and everyone joins in immediately, and then the caller changes the tune after its been played a few times and everyone joins in immediately, I was pleased with the custom at the Field, namely, that when someone starts at tune, usually everyone quietly sits back and lets the caller play the tune all the way through once, then a few people join in on the second round, then on the third round most everyone else joins in, then they play it a few more times. Personally, I liked this a lot because it allows everyone to get a sense of how the person calling the tune likes to play the tune, and by gradually adding players to the tune it gives a pleasing, gradual buildup to the dramatic effect of the tune.
I sat there listening for a long while, then joined in a few tunes that I recognized, and by the end of the evening had started several tunes. I can tell you, starting a tune with these folks was a real threshold for me, but it was a lot like the first time I jumped out of an airplane…the freefall was lots of fun, the landing was soft, and then you want to try it again.
Oh, and the pub was either packed or busy prettymuch all night…on a Sunday, something I’m not used to here in Florida. Last month the Field won an award as being the Best Bar in San Diego, and I’d agree that those folks have managed to build a pretty sweet thing.
So many thanks to Jonathan and the other Boxtys. My advise to everyone is to check out this session, but as with all things, be polite, observe and abide by their session ettiquette before doing anything musically, and have a Great Time!
Kevin/DAZED
Most of the time we have from six to eight players, which is just about right for the limited space we have.
