Jam sessions set to go public

A GOLDEN Gully resident’s retirement project has become a reminder that you are never too old to start something new. 

For the past four years Patrick Cox has been running regular jam sessions at his home and will soon be starting open mic sessions. 

He said he has been playing guitar for the past 50 years, only in a private capacity, and decided to set up the sessions when retired as his way of giving back to the community. 

Cox said anyone can join whether you have musical experience or not. 

“The jam sessions have been great,” he said. “Most of the people attending are retired and it gives quite a deep meaning to their lives now. 

“it’s a chance to meet up with other people and play some music.” 

Cox used to be a counsellor and said he has noticed the sessions have had a positive effect on its participants. 

“Overall, it’s not therapy, but it’s so therapeutic to people” he said. “It just puts a bit of a skip in your step.” 

The jam sessions involve choosing a few songs to play, while the open mic sessions will be more about performing in front of the group. 

“I use a projector so that everyone can see the words and music, and we just have a time for making music and having some fun,” said Cox. 

“It’s just about bringing people together and to just jam together, either as singers, musicians, solo, duo, or as a group. 

“It’s not about being professional or perfect or anything, it’s about joining with others to make a tune. There’s quite a community sense to it.” 

The Golden Gully jam sessions are every Tuesday and Thursday, and the open mic sessions will be on the first Saturday of each month starting December.  

To learn more about the jam or open mic sessions email Patrick at [email protected].