During our constitutional walks, my wife Melanie and I discovered Monday night jam sessions in Gallo Park on Rondout Creek. Music was playing from 5:30-7:30 p.m. all summer and continuing.

We stopped to watch and dance. One day, Melanie suggested that I sit-in on harmonica, so I did. The musicians were sufficiently skilled to make a “bad” harmonica player like me sound good. The group usually has five to 10 active players. Since joining, I have participated in the song circle, a protocol that has each musician taking a turn to call the song.

Friends, neighbors and tourists stop and listen. We have had impromptu audiences bring chairs for the event, sometimes as many as 20 to 30.

Earl Pardini plays guitar, banjo, violin and accordion. He is a well-known local musician and square-dance caller. He told me that this group has been meeting for 20 years.

Some readers might remember when they played at the Senate House Uptown. Back then, Earl was joined by Bob Lusk, Frank Romano and the late MaryAnn Schatzel, among others. They played there until the area became too noisy. They also played at the Hudson Valley Senior Residence. Forty-fifty musicians have played along over the years.

On a recent Monday, we played without Earl. Larry Silver (pictured) played guitar and kept us in tune. Vern Tejas (pictured) played “John Henry” with intensity and drive. I wish I knew the woman’s name who sang and played “I Shall Be Released.” She had so much passion in her voice that we could not resist joining her in the chorus.

There were a couple of Ukrainian folk songs performed. They sounded like gypsy violin music, to which I am partial. Most of the music we play is American Folk with a bit of the blues. Is “Me and Bobby McGee” the blues?

As the weather chills we will find a warm location. But this summer, it was great to be part of the thriving cultural scene on Rondout Creek in historic Downtown Kingston.