Community Jams

At LEFF you’ll find plenty of opportunities to play music with others, in informal pop-up jams or organized sessions lead by knowledgeable performers.

Besides the scheduled jams, Jammers are welcome to play in other locations as long as they are considerate and don’t block halls, stairways or exits.

Feel like being a part of an organized jam?  Check out one of the sessions below.

Old-Time Jam at a former Lake Erie Folk Fest. Photo by Jen Hearn

2025 Jam Sessions

Old Time Jam (Beg/Int)

Joel Specht, Erin Johnson, Bill Braun

Joel Specht
Erin Thomas
Erin Thomas
Bill Braun
Bill Braun

Joel Specht is a fretless clawhammerer and an old time fiddler with twenty-six years of playing experience. The foundation of his rhythm and funk comes from 11 years of percussion performance during high school and college, and an eclectic listening playlist. This mild mannered D&D enthusiast has a day job as a fifth grade math and science teacher with the Conneaut City Schools.

Erin Thomas began her musical journey composing, singing, and playing piano. Old Time music stole her heart and she began learning fiddle, mandolin, baritone ukulele, a bit of banjo. She works at Hawken school as the Assistant Director of the Middle School and teaches art, also running ErinEccentric Original Art and playing in the Piney Mountain Stringband with her friend Bill Braun.

Irish Seisiun 

Jack Hughes.

Join Jack as he leads a traditional seisiun.  Bring your instrument and play along, offer your favorite set of tunes, or sit back and enjoy listening to a great mix of Irish tunes including some rollicking reels and lively jigs!

Old Time Rippin’ Jam (Int/Adv)  

Ken Roby, Village Blacksmith, Bill Braun, Lynn Frederick, Barb Withee, Jim Richards and many more hooligans!

For jammers who want to just want to dig in and rip some tunes so people can watch and enjoy and be inspired (without having to seek us out in dark rooms and alleys)! A demo and inspirational jam, intended to encourage less experienced folks to keep at it, not to get frustrated with learning. Not a closed jam, but a more experienced full speed jam. 

Bluegrass Jam

The Sugar Mules

The Sugar Mules
Sugar Mules
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10848 Chillicothe Rd.
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