- April 18, 2024
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Jane Park, Jim Rumora and Deb Fernandez jam out during during the Ormond Beach Acoustic Jammers' meetup on Dec. 12. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Jim Rumora, creator of the Ormond Beach Acoustic Jammers, plays the guitar during the group's Dec. 12 meetup. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Jane Park plays the cello during the Ormond Beach Acoustic Jammers' meetup on Dec. 12. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Robert LaPerla plays guitar during the Ormond Beach Acoustic Jammers' meetup on Dec. 12. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Dennis Bird plays his guitar during the Ormond Beach Acoustic Jammers' meetup on Dec. 12. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Dennis Bird, Lori Stamatis and Jim Rumora perform together during the Ormond Beach Acoustic Jammers' meetup on Dec. 12. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Roger Duvernoy plays the harmonica during the Ormond Beach Acoustic Jammers' meetup on Dec. 12. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Suzanne Fox plays her guitar and sings during the Ormond Beach Acoustic Jammers' meetup on Dec. 12. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Suzanne Fox plays as Ricki Stofsky plays the tambourine during the Ormond Beach Acoustic Jammers' meetup on Dec. 12. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Ormond Beach Acoustic Jammers meet under the Granada Bridge every other Saturday. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Ormond Beach Acoustic Jammers like two things: Music and having fun.
With members from Volusia, Flagler, Lake, St. Johns and other counties in north and central Florida, the group is made up of adults who love playing music — whether that be folk, rock, jazz, pop or hits from the 60s and 70s. It was founded by Ormond Beach resident Jim Rumora in December 2018, shortly after he moved from Jacksonville.
He had looked for similar groups in the area, but finding none, decided to create his own. One of the first members was Ormond Beach resident Roger Duvernoy, who helped spread the word to other local musicians.
The group now has 34 members listed on its Meetup website, though Rumora said people often stop by during each meeting to join the jam session.
It's a "relaxed, no pressure, no judgment, no politics, no religion zone," according to the group's flier, perfect for all players.
“There’s a lot of people out there who have played instruments in their younger days, like me, and then had to work for a living, and then when it got later in life, had more of an opportunity to start playing again but didn’t have anyone to play with," Rumora said.
The groups meets under the Granada Bridge at Fortunato Park every other Saturday. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, following a hiatus of a few months, they've began meeting outdoors to practice social distancing. It's been great having an outlet, Rumora said.
The visibility of being underneath the bridge where many walk and exercise has also helped their membership. Rumora said one member happened to be walking by when he heard them playing. The member had been feeling down, Rumora explained, but said that listening to them changed his day.
“That’s exactly what people are supposed to get out of this — that it’s a chance to feel rewarded and just good about yourself and others," Rumora said. "It’s a totally positive experience.”
The group is always looking to add new members. Dues are typically $6 a year, but because of the pandemic, dues have been currently waived.
For more information, contact Rumora at 813-885-1193 or via email at [email protected]. The group's website is meetup.com/OBAJMEup
