Roland Maltais is a musician with a mission. He and other members of his group, the Totally Innocent Blues Band, wanted to see a totally open jam happening at the Grasshopper Pub in Pender Harbour every Wednesday evening. So they started one.Maltais remembers when he was still learning his music, he always wanted to join in local jams but was intimidated by the really accomplished bands."We're here to encourage new musicians," he says. "We're nice guys; we're supportive."He and singer Dustin Fyke, drummer Greg Mills and their bass player open each Wednesday night at 9:30 p.m. in a relaxed atmosphere. The audience is turning up already, although generally they come expecting classic rock or blues."We're trying to encourage all styles on Wednesday nights," he says. "Folk, country, rock, blues, jazz."Maltais has been part of a jam like this before on Saltspring Island in which each musician played for about 20 minutes - no sign up sheet, no cover charge for the audience."Generally, we play first," he says. "When we call 'anyone out there?' just come forward. We can help with microphones and a PA system."The Grasshopper Pub has a dance floor and serves food for the first hour of the jam. It's on Hwy. 101 just north of the Madeira Park turnoff.
