Multe, the band

Nordic Jam's "brand" mascot, the Unknown Fiddler

This week, Northfield's Nordic Jam celebrates its sixth (6th) anniversary.

In 2002, Ruth Marie Sylte began to seek out others in the Northfield area who might be interested in getting together and playing traditional music from the Nordic countries.

On 16 September of that year, four people gathered at The Contented Cow on a Monday evening to give it a shot. After trying out some tunes for a couple of hours, it was decided to meet the next week. And thus began the tradition of a weekly Nordic music jam session in Northfield.

Monday evenings at the Contented Cow were pretty empty at that time, which was a good thing as the players weren't that good when Jam was young! But — little by little — more people joined in, music was learned and the rhythms started to flow.

This year, Nordic Jam celebrates its anniversary in a new home, the Ole Cafe near the St. Olaf College campus. On any given Monday evening, you'll find 10-15+ musicians gathered to play music and socialize, just like musicians have done for centuries in the "old countries".

Most of us in Multe met each other through Nordic Jam. Ruth Marie, as Nordic Jam founder, was first — of course. Then came Virginia Windschitl with her fiddle and years of experience playing with the American Swedish Institute Spelmannslag and in Danish groups. Next was Brad Easterson, who started on mandolin, but now also plays fiddle (as soon as we in Multe found out that he's a trained violinist!). Jon Thore Bjork started on guitar but switched to accordion (his first instrument as a child). Drew Dixon joined Jam on guitar. Finally, Eric Paulsen turned everything on its head and joined Multe first — and comes down to Jam every once in a while when his schedule permits.

Nordic Jam has been an incredible musical catalyst in Northfield. It has helped to give birth to two other jam sessions in Northfield — one bluegrass and one for northern European music, including Celtic. It has also been incubator for at least four performing groups, including Multe.

We honor our roots.

The drupelets of Multe salute Nordic Jam on six years of music and fellowship! There will be cake!