In the fall of 2004, on Monday nights, I would frequent a place called “Jim’s”…you might have heard of it. Upon entering, I was often greeted by the friendly owner, Jim, a guy named Karl, and bartender Pat. I’d belly-up to the bar, order a slice of pizza and a cold Shipyard Export and find a table. A group known as The Waiters would then perform and absolutely charm and capture the audience. Consisting of Miss Evan, Bernie, Al and others, they would play everything from jazz standards to soul to contemporary music and always left us satiated, yet excited about the next Monday night. Sadly, Jim’s closed in January 2005 and Mondays vanished like a Maine summer. Blue arrived on the scene on Friday, April 29, 2005 and later saw the long-awaited return of Miss Evan, Bernie, & Al with various guest musicians (i.e., trumpeters, bassists, drummers, etc.) to this venue known as Blue, formerly Jim’s.                     
~Barry P. Martin, Proprietor of Blue

"Kabuki" Mike Jeanneau

Born in Callao, Peru in 1967, son of sons of sons of European immigrants (French, Irish, Welsh and Spanish), he immigrated to the USA in 1983 and has lived between Maine and New Hampshire since. Bazouki - Bazooka - Kabuki-Mike started playing the guitar at the age of 7 and has since  picked up a variety of musical instruments over the years (mandolin, tenor banjo and fiddle), all self taught. He grew up listening to his older brother’s Zeppelin, ELP and Jethro Tull albums, among others, and did the rock-band thing during high school and college. It was in college (Portland’s own USM) where he started paying more attention to the folk scene and eventually ended up playing at the Irish sessions at The Press Room, where he met Junior Stevens who introduced him to Tom Rota and the Brian Boru’s sessions. Mike’s main axe now is the English-made Fylde arch-top bouzouki and a Martin SP-000-16R guitar for variety.

Seisún (session) is a tradition throughout Ireland, in the town Pubs, where musicians, who are often patrons, gather in a large circle and acoustically perform the traditional music of Ireland. Seisún takes place right here at Blue each and every Wednesday evening around 9:00 P.M. If you have not experienced it, come down to the Blue, have a Guinness and treat yourself!

Starting out as a solo folk musician in the early 80's, Pam Baker is back to her roots.  Growing up on Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, Carole King, Joan Baez, and a love for the ladies of jazz and blues (Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan), it's no wonder she's back out singing with her guitar.   

Both an outstanding vocalist and an adept performer onacoustic guitar, this able songstress captivates her audience with the intensity of her performance.  Her strong background in blues and contemporary folk music provide a unique twist as Pam offers up the work of blues legends like Bessie Smith to more contemporary performers anding a few of her songs to the mix.

Opening for artists such as Savoy Brown, Tab Benoit, Coco Montoya, Debbie Davies, Popa Chubby, James Montgomery and Duke Robillard, Pam weaves a spell around her audiences, capturing and holding their attention. 

Delta Blues legends Tommy Johnson, Robert Johnson, and Petey Wheatstraw were all said to have sold their souls to the devil in exchange for their exceptional musical abilities. Now, we're not saying that Samuel James sold his soul to the Devil... but we're not NOT saying that either.

So listen up, amigos…come and see the amazing Delta and Piedmont Blues man, Samuel James. Hambone, guitar, harmonica, tap dancing, a cappella, keyboards…he does it all! Mr. James is joined by the incomparable Miss Nina Marie, who moves audiences with her voice like no one else.

Mark Rankin’ - Guitarist/singer/songwriter

Playing originals and covers, this guy will work the crowd like a 40-hour week! A 2004 nominee for Best Singer/Songwriter in the Portland Phoenix and a regular performer at the old “Jim’s”, Rankin’ is a fun and energetic musician, always the life of the party.

(see the “First, the news” section of this newsletter)

The Swear Words

The Swear Words consist of Ronda and Kevin, who are both from the deep south and got washed up on a rock somewhere off the coast of Maine and stuck fast like two happy little clams.  They make some cool kind of music, some original songs, some rockin’ cover tunes, and always a party.

Appalachian fiddle tunes, old time songs, and ballads; high spirited string band breakdowns, bluesy Mississippi melodies, waltzes and two-steps from Cajun country...Old Red plays it all...fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass, banjo, etc...Come join us for an evening of fun and frolic! Guaranteed to get your toes tapping and bring a smile to your face!