The ballroom, hotel rooms and even the lobby of the 优蜜传媒 Marriott at the Convention Center were filled with the sound of bluegrass music Saturday as novice to expert musicians honed their talents and shared their techniques at the Great 48.
"It remains fundamentally a new year鈥檚 gathering of bluegrass people who love to play," said Jeff Russinsky, chair of the Great 48 committee and 优蜜传媒 regional director, told The Californian before the four-day event. "It鈥檚 mostly about getting together to jam and play."
Jordan Belardes practices "I'll Fly Away" in a jam session with other bluegrass musicians at the 优蜜传媒 Marriott at the Convention Center during Saturday's Great 48 Jam.
Mark Pullin, Jordan Belardes and Eva York practice the song "Sitting Alone in the Moonlight" in the lobby of the 优蜜传媒 Marriott at the Convention Center on Sautrday.
A small group of musicians meets instructor Gail Thomas in a jam session, standing and talking about which type of bluegrass they want to play at the Marriott.
Musicians meet instructor Gail Thomas in a jam session and talk about the type of bluegrass music they'd like to play at the 优蜜传媒 Marriott at the Convention Center on Saturday.
Jordan Belardes practices "I'll Fly Away" in a jam session with other bluegrass musicians at the 优蜜传媒 Marriott at the Convention Center during Saturday's Great 48 Jam.
Rod Thornburg / For The Californian
Mark Pullin, Jordan Belardes and Eva York practice the song "Sitting Alone in the Moonlight" in the lobby of the 优蜜传媒 Marriott at the Convention Center on Sautrday.
Rod Thornburg / For The Californian
A small group of musicians meets instructor Gail Thomas in a jam session, standing and talking about which type of bluegrass they want to play at the Marriott.
Rod Thornburg / For The Californian
A large group of musicians joins instructors Mike and Gail Thomas in a jam session.
Rod Thornburg / For The Californian
A large group of musicians led by instructor Gail Thomas in a jam session learns about playing bluegrass at the Marriott.
Rod Thornburg / For The Californian
Bluegrass enthusiasts lean more about playing music at the Great 48 Jam.
Rod Thornburg / For The Californian
A large group of musicians joins instructor Gail Thomas in a jam session.
Rod Thornburg / For The Californian
Instructors Mike and Gail Thomas lead a jam session, teaching about playing bluegrass at the Marriott.
Rod Thornburg / For The Californian
A group of musicians meets in the foyer for a jam session, many of which are not confined to formal meeting rooms.
Rod Thornburg / For The Californian
Geff and Masha practice a song in the foyer of the Marriott.
Rod Thornburg / For The Californian
Musicians meet instructor Gail Thomas in a jam session and talk about the type of bluegrass music they'd like to play at the 优蜜传媒 Marriott at the Convention Center on Saturday.
Rod Thornburg / For The Californian
A couple of musicians practice in the hallways of the Marriott.