Recently I spent some time with the Jolly Hammers and Strings, a group of traditional music enthusiasts.
They meet once a month for a jam session at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland. Joann Satkowiak is their leader.
“Well the Jolly Hammers and Strings is a group-- and we welcome all sorts of acoustic instruments to join us, no matter their skill level. They can play whatever they can and what they can’t—they can just fake it (laugh). This group started in 1985 or 84—about then- by Bill Kuhlman and his wife Jane. They are both gone now, but we try to continue this just because we love the music—and everybody here does.”
At this session—there was an impressive variety of musicians and instruments.
“We have guitars and violins and Bodhran and—let’s see there’s no mountain dulcimers or anything but normally there’s ukuleles and mandolins and autoharps and anything acoustic—oh and we have two accordions that I forgot to mention.”
Satkowiak tells the story of how she learned to play the hammered dulcimer.
“I lived on Mackinac Island for a summer and I loved there, and I walked by and I kept watching a hammered dulcimer player and thinking ‘That’s got to be the most difficult instrument in the world.’ And a few years later I bought one for my daughter, and she stated taking lessons. Didn’t keep it up so it sat in the closet. When she went to college, I took it and got a few lessons—and here I am!”
Here’s some good news: Making music with the Jolly Hammers and Strings does not require a lot of formal musical training.
“ Not at all. A lot of people don’t even read music that play these instruments. It’s just kind of—you learn from each other” said Satkowiak.
Satkowiak says anyone is welcome to join the jam session—as a musician or audience member.
“Absolutely! A lot of people just come out and join in however they can, whether it’s singing, tapping their toes—some ask me if they can slap their knees and holler an occasional “Yoo-hoo” and they are welcome.”
Satkowiak says that being part of the Jolly Hammers and Strings for more than fifteen years has been very rewarding.
“It soothes my soul. It gives me comfort and joy. And to make other people happy—being able to share music is what it’s all about”
If you would like to learn more about the Jolly Hammers and Strings, click here.
