It’s still early evening and people are just starting to arrive at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Tables and chairs are scattered, loose conversations are struck up and dropped as a group of musicians — Ventura Highway — continues setting up for the night.

As more and more people filter in, purchase drinks and sit down, Scott Jasmin strikes up lonely chords of John Mellencamp’s “Wild Nights.” He’s joined by drummer Pete Wangen as the two provide the soundtrack to the show that’s about to begin.

By the time January’s ArtRocks Open Jam Session is fully involved; the room is packed with both musicians and fans waiting to hear some of the best entertainment Austin has to offer.

It’s a perfect night for music.

For three years, the ArtRocks Open Jam Sessions have provided opportunities for anyone who loves music and loves playing it. They can play on their own or they can play with the house band, Ventura Highway.

Wangen was the driving force for the event in the beginning. Recognizing the bounty of musical talent in the area, Wangen wanted to give those musicians a chance to play for the public in a friendly, non-intimidating environment.

“I think a big thing is that it has given people an outlet,” Wangen said. “That was the original goal. There is so much talent around here. Without a doubt this has given all these people an outlet to play or sing. It’s been phenomenal.”

On its first night, the jam received a strong opening and from there it’s only gotten better, creating an environment that speaks to the musicians and those who just come to hear good music.

“The attendance has gone up and up, almost consistently,” Wangen said. “It’s been extremely well-received. It’s gone exactly how I think we thought it would, which was people not only come out and jam, but their friends and family come along to hear.”

Kelsey Ritchie, office manager for the Austin Area Commission for the Arts, gets perhaps one of the best seats in the house. Often times, Ritchie can be found bartending and so she sees just how big the jam sessions have become, especially the amount of people who coming to see the musicians.

“In 2017 our average attendance was between 60-80 people,” she said. “I remember one, the last one before the summer, we had well over 100 people up there. It was awesome. It was really fun.”

On any given night, there could be five to 10 musicians taking the stage, performing a wide array of music. While the lion’s share of those playing are from the area, both Wangen and Ritchie are seeing musicians coming from outside the community, from as far away as Rochester.

It’s a nod to the atmosphere the event creates, but more importantly how warm a reception the musicians get whether they are experienced or taking the stage for the first time.

“There is no place else you can do this,” said Wendy Larson, who was performing for the second time and is in bands including Full Circle, Cedar River Strings and Who Let the Mamas out. “What I like about it is the diversity. It’s been gospel, jazz … lots of different genres.”

Everybody involved understands that many getting behind the microphone are either inexperienced for brand new to performing in front of an audience.

But it’s the opportunity that draws the performers. It’s a forum so many want to be in front of, including Austin High School senior Mary Sullivan, a frequent performer. On this night she takes the stage alone with an acoustic guitar strapped around her shoulder.

Her voice carries strongly through the room as she begins her first song. When she is done, the crowd whoops and whistles, earning a smile from Sullivan in return.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity,” Sullivan said before the night got under way. “Especially for those without a band, it’s a great opportunity to play with a band. It’s super supportive.”

Ventura Highway has brought solid support for the performers. The band is made up of a group of veteran musicians who know the stage, how to approach it and how to guide those unsure of themselves.

“It’s nonjudgmental and we as a house band try not to be intimidating,” Wangen said. “We’re trying to be sensitive of that.”

“We know, sometimes, … there are musicians not ready to get up,” he continued. “Everybody is encouraging.”

And that’s what it comes back to — the music. The entire night settles around the central fact that the music, for a couple hours, takes hold and lends a soundtrack to the night.

“This encourages a lot of people to keep playing music,” Sullivan said.

The sessions are scheduled for about two and a half hours, but sometimes that schedule is a loose one.

“[It’s] 7-9:30 p.m., but most of the time they’ll run late,” Ritchie said. “If it’s happening and it’s fun and everybody is enjoying it … usually the staff doesn’t tell them to stop unless they are really going to go late.”

As the event continues to gain Friday night traction once a month, talk inevitably turns to whether the sessions will turn to a larger venue. January’s session was packed with people, but not completely uncomfortable as people stood in doorways, sat in the lounge or at a table.

There as been talk about another location, but the ambience remains and for the foreseeable future, sessions will be kept at the ArtWorks Center.

“We have talked about whether or not it’s going to outgrow the space,” Ritchie said. “I don’t think it is. I think the space is just right for the amount of people who are going to come.”

She’s not wrong. It’s hard to beat the feel of the towering ceiling and tall windows atop hardwood floors that make up the intimate setting. It lends the perfect amount of musical vibe.

Another welcoming feature of the jam is the price tag: Free. That element allows for more freedom for those who can’t or don’t want to worry about a cover charge. That, along with the underground feel of the event, makes it even more of a welcoming event.

“I think the bigger thing is maybe to get the word out,” Wangen said. “It’s neat that it’s kind of an underground, word-of-mouth thing, but everybody that has come in as been, ‘I had no idea that this even existed.’”

Upcoming ArtRocks Open Jam Sessions

March 30, April 27 and May 25

Out Now!

The March-April edition of Austin Living is now out including this story as well as so much more including a special feature dedicated to those leaders coming out of Austin’s Schools. Be sure to pick up your copy today and as always if you have an idea submit it to photodesk@austindailyherald.com