There’s no bigger promoter of live club music than resident drummer Mark Ammar, a man who spent more than a decade keeping blues jams humming throughout St. Albert and Edmonton.
After close to a three-year absence, Ammar makes a resounding comeback at LB’s Pub hosting the newly created Saturday Sessions Jam running 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In 2004 he was the first to host live blues jams at several local bars including the Blind Pig Pub. Throughout the decade he change locales several times, entertaining crowds at the now defunct Castle Rock, Taphouse and LB’s Pub.
By 2013, Ammar shifted his musical operations to Edmonton at The Leaf Bar for six months before moving to Richard’s Pub for three years.
His undertakings were significant in giving diverse emerging artists and nationally acclaimed veterans an opportunity to create music – especially in a DJ-robust climate where live music venues were rapidly disappearing.
When the owners of Richard’s Pub sold their bar, Ammar considered retiring. After all, he wasn’t getting any younger and at one point was diagnosed with lung cancer requiring an operation.
“Linda (LB’s owner) contacted us the next day and invited us to come back. I’d always wanted to go back and this was a good opportunity,” said Ammar.
While the 30-year St. Albert resident worked in car sales, his true zest for life was drawn from music.
“I retired three times for a few months, but I always came back. It’s a passion to play music. My goal is 1,000 shows. Entering LB’s on Saturday makes it 658.”
Ammar is temporarily sidelined from playing the skins until he completely heals from his cancer operation. However, at his comeback open mic, he is on the bill as master of ceremonies.
Tonight his special guests are son Zeek, and Jakk Grandy. Zeek is a guitarist and recorded musician who performed with Bad Example, Regal Renslip, Long Way Down and Pistols at 20 Paces.
Grandy is Pistols at 20 Paces frontman/lead singer and a three-time Canadian Radiostar songwriting competition regional winner for ’Til We Meet Again, Sick Of It All and Live Again.
The jam is open to all artists and runs from 4 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Special guests perform for one hour starting at 7 p.m. LB’s Pub is at 23 Akins Drive.
