Much like the word “jazz” itself, the origin of the term “jam session” is up for debate, but there’s no denying the multi-layered potential that jam sessions unleash: community building, essential education, artistic exploration and audience engagement. Before we dive in, though, for the uninitiated, what can you expect from such an evening?
Jam sessions typically start with an opening set by the host band, after which, participants are invited to take the stage. In this informal atmosphere, musicians will often approach the stage of their own volition, play a couple of standard tunes and then, ideally, get off the stage to allow someone else the opportunity. It is ultimately up to the host to ensure that things go smoothly and that everyone is treated respectfully. It’s important to find jam sessions which are safe spaces geared to everyone having a good experience. In this piece, I will focus on a few of my favourite Toronto sessions.
On Friday nights at Jazz Bistro, a rotating band hosts the Late Night Jam Session from 11:30pm to 2am. This event is the brainchild of Jazz Bistro’s manager Ted Haberer, who made it his first mission on the job to start a jam session. Previously an employee at The Rex Hotel, he is also an avid vocalist who occasionally gets up to croon a tune.
“I love this music, and hearing strangers meet for the first time and play it beautifully together is something really special,” says Haberer. “I wanted to cater the jams to the musicians and thought they'd like a place to head after their weekend gigs to get some late-night food and hang with other players.”
As the curator of the space, he is very passionate about giving young musicians opportunities: “They're the future of the scene. They need a place to play together for an audience, and to hear as many players as possible. There's a remarkable amount of talent among the young players right now. They need to make rent. Toronto rent!”
In terms of hiring hosts for the jam, here is what he looks for: “Being able to draw a crowd of players and listeners helps, but it's not everything. I think a good host encourages people to participate and also protects the integrity of the performances. There is jam etiquette that a lot of people don't know about. For example, the jams are as much or more about hearing people play as they are about playing. Doing more than two songs is frowned upon unless nobody else wants to play. You have to know the tune, too. If you don't, I'd suggest calling one that you do know, or stepping down and choosing another moment to play. A good host will be able to keep those things in order.”
In the heart of the Annex neighbourhood, every Sunday at the Tranzac Living Room space from 7-10pm, find The Conversation Jam. This is a unique session specifically designed to blend the worlds of tap dancing and jazz music. A similar concept, “The Jazz United Jam” took place in the same space between 2018 and 2019 spearheaded by dancer Travis Knights, singer-songwriter Jennarie (then known as Jenna Marie) and musician Kristian Fourier. It was there that tap dancer Vincent Marchesano first fell in love with dancing to live music, which changed his approach to dance entirely.
“I can only tap dance to live music because of Jazz United – I remember that first day, my mind was blown – I brought my shoes but I didn’t even put them on, I actually had to step back and relearn how to dance. I came from the competitive dance circuit, which was all with tracks.”
When Jazz United came to an end in late 2019, Marchesano along with dancer Tatiana Palfaro and vocalist Maggie Keogh decided to start hosting The Conversation Jam in the very same space. Within a few months, the world had shut down. For the past 18 months he has been running the jam on his own, booking a rotating host band and supervising the proceedings. He is looking for volunteers who wish to help, as long as they honour the roots of the jam as a meeting place where tap dancing and live music co-exist every week.
Speaking of dancing – it is sad to report that the Swing Dance Tuesday jam at Drom Taberna has just come to an end, after a three-year run. Led by swing guitarist-vocalist Nat Beja, the event was a warm and harmonious union between trad jazz and swing dancers, and is looking for a new home – any venue interested in housing this event can contact @nat.beja on Instagram.
On that note: audience members who wish to support the scene should remember that due to lack of patronage, most jams are as ephemeral as springtime. So show up and tell your friends – because without an audience, none of this magic can thrive, let alone survive.
SIDEBAR: TORONTO JAM SESSIONS
There are countless Open Mics happening in this city, which are different from jazz jams. At Open Mics all genres are welcome; performers sign up and present a song or two of their choosing (often original tunes). Jazz jams are more focused on spontaneous collaborations and usually the songs are well-known standards or blues. Most jams welcome vocalists as well as instrumentalists, and some are more singer-friendly than others. I invite readers to contact me if you need any advice on where to go or how to get prepared: @oridaganjazz on Instagram.
Girls Night Out Jazz (“GNO”) is a Toronto institution which was founded by Lisa Particelli in 2005. It functions more as a “Jazz open mic” than a jam in the sense that there is a sign-up sheet - but I am including it here because it is a cherished safe space for vocalists of all levels, with top-notch jazz musicians who are provided. Currently taking place on the third Sunday of the month at The Kingston House, on Kingston Rd. east. of Main, February 16 is the next edition: follow Girls Night Out Jazz on Facebook to stay connected.
Friday Night Blues Jam
Hosted by guitarist Mike Sedgewick, this weekly tradition now takes place at The Black Swan Tavern. This jam is so deeply community-oriented that they even have an annual awards show featuring citations for different instrument categories, as well as “new talent,” “most improved” and “superfan.” Always a welcoming environment where talent is celebrated. Let the good times roll!
The Classic Rex Jazz Jam has been going on for decades on Tuesday evenings at The Rex Hotel, currently hosted by bassist extraordinaire Chris Banks. Musicians from all ranks of the scene come by and sit in – one of the most cross-generational events around. And you never know who will show up – one time Wynton Marsalis did, and he sat in!
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As I mentioned earlier, most jams are as ephemeral as springtime, but the flip side of that is that they spring up unexpectedly as well. Our Mainly Clubs, Mostly Jazz listings, commencing on page 30 offer digital links to these venues’ most up-to-date event information. So check them out. You never know what you may discover.
Singer/songwriter Ori Dagan has toured across Canada and internationally, and has been a staple on the Toronto scene for over 20 years. Locally he also works as a curator, producer, host and artistic director of JazzInToronto.
