It can only be described as the end of an era – The Mount Mellick Tuesday jam night is no more.

Since its inception in 2002, hundreds of musicians have clambered up on to the dimly stage at the Mount Maunganui pub to share their talents, passion and friendship all in the name of music.

For 13 years the Mount Mellick Jam Nights have seen hundreds of local musicians sharing their talents, skills and passions. Photo: Nick Ririnui/Facebook

On Wednesday resident drummer Nick Ririnui was informed the pub would discontinue the weekly jams, and while saddened, he is philosophical about the decision.

'It just wasn't working for them anymore I think,” says Nick, 'there's no animosity and they made a decision based on what was best for them, which is fair enough.

'I would like to thank the Mount Mellick staff of past and present, plus the original owner Clayton Mitchell, for their support of local music through the years.”

Nick's been involved with the jam nights since they were started by musician Damon Innes, who Nick warmly refers to as ‘the godfather of the jams'.

'Damo started them and that's how I met him,” Nick recalls. 'We've been friends ever since and we'll always be mates. If you've seen Damo jamming or jammed with him, you know there's just something special about the bro.”

Damon relocated to Australia in 2012 which left the jam nights in limbo, but the decision was made to keep them running, much to the joy of many local musicians.

And Nick was not alone in his desire to keep them running, with musicians Louie Hawkins, Ara Tamatea, Peter Ormsby and Regan Perry putting their hands up to help.

'Those guys came in and helped me run it and without them it wouldn't have kept going I reckon.”

There's not one individual aspect that Nick can pinpoint to explain the 13 year popularity of the jam nights.

Maybe the jams gave bedroom musicians an opportunity to showcase their talents publically? Or maybe they brought together an elective variety of people who bonded over a common love of music? Perhaps the jam nights offered the local music community a place they could call home?

'It wasn't just about the music, it was the people, the community that was created and brought together every Tuesday night to share the universal language of music,” reflects Nick.

'One of the cool things was meeting complete strangers and after jamming with them you definitely got to know a part of them.

Nick adds: 'And it was always cool knowing that some people might've had a bad week, but for a few moments as they listened or jammed, they were getting out of that negative head space.”

But all is not lost, after word got out Mount Brewing Co. has since approached Nick and offered to provide a new home for the jam nights.

'Me and Josh Pow were asked to start up a jam night at Mount brewing Co and have accepted the Challenge. We're toying with names, but liking the sound of Mount Jamming Co.

'It's funny how one door closes and then another opens,” says Nick.