Front Porch Pandemic Jazz Jam

Hello friends, neighbors and jazz fans. Every Thursday afternoon throughout 2021 you can enjoy live jazz at the Front Porch Pandemic Jazz Jam in University City. It starts around 4:30 p.m. and goes on for a couple of hours or so always ending no later than 7. Most weeks there’s 5 musicians; Jack Hoffman (piano), Roy Jenkins (bass), Greg Pardue (saxophones), Phil Marcus (guitar & vocals), and Ray Conseur (drums). From time to time there will also be guest musicians sitting in. The music is classic jazz and swing from the Great American Songbook along with Latin styles like bossa novas and sambas. Many of the songs are classics by composers and musicians like Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Stan Getz and more. In addition to improvised solos on every song, the band always plays around with the melodies, tempos and rhythms and never plays any song the same way twice. The band knows (or can fake) 100’s of songs so you never know what they might pull out of their hat and it's never the same set list from week to week. Songs are called out on the spot and arrangements can be on the fly. It’s loose, it’s flexible and it’s fun. That’s why it's referred to as a jazz jam/workshop rather than a concert. The audience numbers from 20 to as many as 50 with people coming and going all of the time. Some folks in the neighborhood listen from their front or back yards however most people bring lawn chairs and sit on the sidewalks, driveways and edge of the street or listen from their cars. A lot of people bring picnics and their favorite beverage (wine tasting is very popular). Even though the musicians are long time pros, this is a free musical event and the band receives no compensation other than the enjoyment of playing some jazz with friends. It’s intended to provide a musical break from this pandemic and it’s as much for the musicians as it is for the audience. People (family groups) are physically distanced and masks are everywhere plus it’s outside, only a mile or two from the coast and there’s usually a nice breeze. Most weeks there’s even a few dancers. Lastly and most importantly, please observe physical distancing guidelines and wear a mask when appropriate. We want everyone to stay safe and healthy. For more info email frontporchpandemicjazzjam@gmail.com