Sunset is only minutes away, which casts a shimmering, golden radiance to the sprawling outdoor deck at the Hugh Gilbert Strickland Post 138 on West Prescott Street (off Westshore in Tampa) as musicians start setting-up their equipment for the gig. Stage right looking out at the water is Dean Germain. He plays keys, even sings in several of them.
For the last couple of years, he’s been leading the latest incarnation of “The House of Trouble” band in its weekly blues jam, now firmly relocated from its former residence further on up the road at the Green Iguana.
Before the show begins, there’s light talk about what to play, but most of it will go out the window anyway … (a loud pop, and feedback squelch comes from stage left) … the first of many jammers has arrived.
A quick flurry of pentatonic notes confirms that, yep, the amp works. Snare hits, kick drum, bass riffs. “Check, check,” PA system is a go, and so is another blues jam night at the Post. And Dean couldn’t be happier …
“One, two … you know what to do!”
Truth told, when most of us woke up the morning after the pandemic begin, there was no timeframe for the return of this epic Tampa Bay tradition—one of the nation’s longest, continuous-running blues jams—logging more than three decades in the books at its previous location.
Thankfully, once the dark clouds began to lift, Dean saw a silver lining in finding a new home for his “House of Trouble.” That, he did. And by the looks of a strong Thursday night crowd gathering to enjoy the evening, he was on to something.
“We’ve got a great partner here in the American Legion Post 138, which is something we don’t take for granted,” said Germain. “The view of the bay is spectacular, especially around sunset, which is about all the light show anybody could hope for. But even more importantly, the folks here really support live music. This kind of music—blues in particular—and the three-plus decade history of this jam.”
He continued, “It’s like a new lease on life for the ‘House of Trouble’ that was already on its fifth or sixth anyway, but by my count, that still leaves us at least three lives to go.”
Rooted in the blues, ready-made for rock, R&B, and more
Even though the Mojo’s working every week, the “House” is fully open to music “guests” from nearly ever genre under the sun. There are no rules, which makes it just right for anybody of any style. Rock, country, R&B, even jazz-tinged standards—a little bit of everything—make for a unique evening of night music each time around.
That said, the spirit of improvisation is what takes every song to the next level. And, it’s fair to say that it’s never the same way twice. At any point after the first set, the band can expand from the “core four” to as many as five guitar players, two-or-three harmonica players, plus keyboards, background singers, trumpets, saxes, and trombones—not always at the same time—but sometimes, unbelievably, at the same time!
Wayne’s world—party’s on—excellent!
Dean is quick to credit Wayne Wooten, entertainment director at Post 138, for his continuing support of the jam and for making sure both band members and post members are well taken care of. The jam itself is open to the general public, but Wooten is encouraged by the number of people who come to the jam for the music, but later join the post as members.
“Even if a person didn’t serve themselves, he or she may be eligible to join—given that a fellow family member is either currently in the military or has past experience,” Wooten explained. “The rules are distinct, but more relaxed than you might think, and we’ll do everything we can to help people who want to join our group to be able to join.”
“The membership dues are affordable, even if you’re on a tight budget. Sometimes the hardest part is just asking, but we pride ourselves on being open and welcoming to everybody.”
Look us up—and come on down!
One jammer in particular, bassist and videographer Michael Platts, goes the extra mile many weeks—often, recording video of the jams and posting them on his YouTube channel under the moniker Bass Player Two Point Oh at http://ow.ly/bkz950NFhUM
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Dean Germain’s “House of Trouble” Blues Jam runs every Thursday night (weather permitting) from 7pm to 10pm at the Hugh Gilbert Strickland American Legion Post 138; 5535 W Prescott St, Port Tampa, Florida; (813) 839-5119. Hours subject to change.
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