On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the Jazz & Gender Equity Initiative (JGEI) hosted their weekly jazz jam session in the Mead Witter Room in Warch. It began at 8:15 p.m. and lasted for about an hour. While JGEI hosts the weekly jams, they make it very clear that anyone is welcome to join in.
The jam included “A Night in Tunisia” by Dizzy Gillespie, “Straight No Chaser” by Thelonious Monk and “Games” by Dorothy Ashby. In addition to these planned pieces, they also played “Autumn Leaves.” There were many different instruments at the event, including bass, trumpet, trombone, drums, harp and piano. As the musicians played, students congregated in Mead Witter to listen, socialize or do homework.
For those who are not very familiar with jazz jams, I’ll try to explain the basics. The melody is when everyone is playing (this is usually the part of the song that people in the audience will recognize). When the musicians take turns playing solos, they are improvising off of the main musical theme. It’s customary to applaud for the soloist(s) once they finish with their improvisatory performance.
As someone who is very new to jazz, it was difficult for me to recognize the pieces that were played. However, even without knowing much about jazz or the specific songs, it was still enjoyable to watch and listen. The setting was so ambient and peaceful, and it was a nice way to decompress after a long day. The lilt of the music and the variety of instruments playing made for a very relaxing atmosphere.
As part of this relaxation, I found myself observing how the musicians interacted with each other. They seemed to encourage each other in a way different than in classical music. They would clap after someone finished a solo, and they would make sure everyone got a chance to do an improvisatory solo. It was a very supportive environment.
They also invited other musicians to come up and join them. In this way, I didn’t really feel like I was in the “audience” of something; instead, I felt like I was a part of a community event. Of course, I wasn’t expected to play or perform, but I was allowed to be a full person rather than having to sit really still and devote all of my focus to the stage.
The vibes were good, and it was clear that everyone was having a good time. There were more people there than I initially expected, especially for a Tuesday night. I would definitely recommend that everyone try to make it to at least one of these jazz jams in the future. They are a good opportunity to sit back and enjoy some tunes while getting to support an equity-focused jazz group.
If you’re interested in the work that the Jazz & Gender Equity Initiative is doing, I’d recommend following their instagram account (@lujazzandgender). Their instagram is also a good way to learn more about upcoming jazz events on campus, such as future jazz jams!