Humble beginnings… They started as a couple of musicians having a jam in a restaurant. They Didn’t even have a drum set the first time, and they started at 11pm so that they didn’t bother the dinner crowd too much. Moving tables and chairs themselves to set up a spot to jam with a mashup of our personal equipment that they shared. But none of that mattered too much, because they just wanted a chance to play music with good people. Despite all this it was still a success, the restaurant customers and musicians were all wondering when we could do it again. A community was formed out of that love for music with the backbone being caring for one another and having fun. Even without promotion, the small jam more than doubled in size the next month. All from word of mouth. One of the bands volunteered to bring a drum set, another one brought a guitar or bass amp. Setting up hours beforehand just so that others could use it. Asking people to move from their tables to make a Frankenstein sound system month after month held together by love and troubleshooting.
Each month they almost doubled in size, until recently just from word of mouth. shifting from a small jam to a large-scale showcase. Leaving no genre or style behind. With every passing month the jam became more organized to ensure the infrastructure to support the growing community. Before too long they outgrew the restaurant, went to a brewery, and as other venues grow in size they continue to fill every space.
Eventually they partnered with the comedy community. Having comedians do a short act in between the music performances. Then they brought in local vendors who make their own products and art. It’s honestly a difficult event to explain if you haven’t been. One minute there’s a punk band, followed by a Hip-Hop artist, and then a Jazz group. Throw in some Indie, Rock, RnB, Rap, Country, and a whole lotta comedy of different styles. It’s a mashup of all the different niche events and groups in the music and arts scene. Words can't describe the surreal, supportive, fun, goofy, chaotic time we have…(okay maybe those can). It’s a contagiously good time that’s infesting Huntsville, Alabama… with total disregard for city, state, or national borders.
Phat Jam is a community made of underdogs for underdogs. We are made by artists, for artists. We are Phat Jam.