![]() Dormant emotions awakened, this most social music was nourishing that which had remained distant for so long normal socialization, community and the artistry of jazz that had united us in the first place. For the audience, whether lifelong jazzers, or casual passerbys, it was the first live music they had witnessed in over a year. As Marriott led the band into Tadd Dameron's "Hot House," an overwhelming feeling of joy and community seemed to magically arise in the room. Session host Eric Verlinde was at the piano, joined by drummer D'Vonne Lewis, bassist Stanley Ruvinov and trumpeter Thomas Marriott. On this evening, the tables were spread out for social distancing, musicians and patrons alike were masked. ![]() The session begins with an hour set by the host musicians, followed by a jam session that traditionally does not include a sign up sheet. On April 28, 2021, the session took on more than the traditional role on the jazz scene in Seattleit served as a place of transformation, of healing, of reacquaintance, after a year enduring the darkness brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. On Tuesday nights, the back bar transforms into a jazz nightspot, hosting a vibrant jam session that dates back to 1995. The vibe is warm, informal and akin to the feeling generated by Seattle's original neighborhood as a whole. There, bartender Adon Gancarz has been a welcoming presence for the past nine years. Entering off the cobblestoned back alley on Post Avenue, patrons walk down a long corridor before arriving at the bar. Nestled in the northwest corner of Seattle's Pioneer Square neighborhood, the Owl 'n Thistle Irish Pub is by most accounts, an ordinary Irish bar and eatery, sporting a pool room, dining room, and a bar room that could plainly typify the classic local dive bar. ![]() While the overall vibe in modern times is infinitely more inclusive than in the old days of competitive "cutting contests," there remains a cognitive spotlight on each player to perform to the level of the session, that bar being set by the artistry of the more established musicians. Most importantly, sessions uphold the values of community and fellowship. It is a fertile meeting place and proving ground for both established players and newcomers. The oral tradition that has allowed the music to evolve and grow generationally lives at the community jam session. Traditionally, the jam session in jazz has provided an outlet for artistic growth and musical connections, for younger musicians to play with more established artists. ![]()
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