Breakpoint Jam Atlanta—Virtual Fireworks and iPhone Slide Guitar

December 18, 2013

The fall tour of the Breakpoint Jam wrapped up at CocoaConf Atlanta with some memorable moments including some iPhone slide guitar and a newly-minted Breakpoint.

Amidst bursts of virtual fireworks, Daniel Steinberg (@dimsumthinking) of Dim Sum Thinking was formally inducted into the Breakpoints.

Daniel joins the fabled group after his stellar performances on slide-advance keyboard as a Conditional Breakpoint during jams across the country this past year.  Congratulations Daniel, thank you and welcome!

  • James Dempsey sings Modelin' Man while backed by Daniel Steinberg, Rusty Zarse and Brandon Alexander
    A little blues with Modelin’ Man James Dempsey.
    Photo: Solomon Klein
  • Rusty Zarse on guitar at Atlanta Breakpoint Jam 2013
    Rusty Zarse sits in on the Atlanta Breakpoint Jam.
    Photo: Solomon Klein
  • Image of fireworks behind Daniel Steinberg's name and photo to celebrate his induction into the Breakpoints
    Virtual fireworks celebrated Daniel Steinberg’s induction into the Breakpoints.
  • Jonathan Penn sitting with guitar, sunglasses on
    The multi-talented Jonathan Penn and his rock-n-roll shades.
    Photo: Solomon Klein
  • Brandon Alexander playing electric guitar in front of a big amplifier
    Brandon Alexander does the Mesa Boogie as he turns it up to 11.

Brandon Alexander (@balexander) of Black Pixel brought along his electric guitar and his Mesa Boogie to amp up the jam more than the usual acoustic performance.

The ever-versatile Jonathan Penn (@jonathanpenn) of Rubber City Wizards played guitar, sang backing vocals and played percussion on the cajón—all in his trademark rockstar glasses.

Also sitting in was Conditional Breakpoint Rusty Zarse (@levous) of LeVous and the Atlanta iOS Developers group.  On The Liki Song, Rusty improvised a slide guitar, with his electric in his lap and the edge of his iPhone as the slide. Never have laser-chamfered edges sounded so good!

  • Daniel Steinberg at podium
    Keynote speaker and slide-advance keyboardist extraordinaire Daniel Steinberg.
    Photo: Solomon Klein
  • Rusty Zarse, James Dempsey, Jonathan Penn and Brandon Alexander rehearse while sitting in a circle in a small room
    Rusty Zarse, James Dempsey, Jonathan Penn and Brandon Alexander rehearse for the Breakpoint Jam
    Photo: Solomon Klein
  • James Dempsey singing into microphone
    James lays it all out so that you‘ll understand.
    Photo: Solomon Klein
  • Closeup of using the edge of an iPhone as a guitar slide
    One of the most expensive guitar slides every made.

The performance in Atlanta was the final Breakpoint Jam for the year. We had a lot of fun and would like to thank everyone for the support.  The jams will continue in the new year—we hope to see you at one! •

We are planning Breakpoint Jams at CocoaConf in Chicago, Washington DC, San Jose and Raleigh. Come join the fun and check out the early-bird pricing.

In the meantime, sign up for our newsletter to find out about live shows and music releases. Or show your support with a download from iTunes.

A jar of Breakpoint Jam
Some Sweet Atlanta Jam

Categories: Mac, Music, iOS

Tags: Atlanta, Breakpoint Jam, CocoaConf, James Dempsey, James Dempsey and the Breakpoints, Mac, Software Development, iOS, iPad, iPhone, iPhone 5, iPhone guitar slide, iPod touch, iTunes, music