Jammin' in JP, Part 2

Jammin' in JP2

April 13, 2008
Jam sessions: Jazz, Latin, World Beat, Pop, Folk, Brazilian
Jamaicaway Books, 676 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, 617-983-3204
www.jamaicawaybooks.com

First things first. These guys have got the goods. Nevermind, they may never have played together, or that they may be playing a song for the first time.

Jam sessions like this are more likely to take place at 2 in the morning rather than at 2 on a Sunday afternoon. But an afternoon audience is exactly what the organizers want.

Musicians stroll in as the session unfolds, unpack their gear and step up to play. They might not know each other’s names but they speak the same language: tempo, major and minor keys, and feel.

This jazz is totally accessible. No dense Coltrane, no frenetic Ornette Coleman, just songs plucked from the thick Great American Songbook charts the guys pass around if they’re not familiar with the arrangement.

The afternoon has the intimate feel of a documentary film. Oblivious to us, one of the guys says, “Do you know Miles’ version of Time After Time?” They banter about the difference between Cyndi Lauper’s and Miles Davis’s versions, agree on what key to play in, decide on  “16 bars and a 4/4 intro” and light into the music.

For the casual listener, this is a primer on how musicians go about their business and how utterly at home they are no matter where they are. When vocalist Fulani Hayes says, “What’s your name?” to Earle Lawrence as she introduces the band not long after Lawrence tore the house down with his solo, you realize you’re witnessing a true jam session.

The Jam Sessions have been organized by Ms. Hayes and Cornell Coley. Both are driven by the desire to teach as well as perform. Hayes infuses her introductions to songs of the 20s, 30s, and 40s with anecdotes that reflect her pride in the African American men and women of Harlem, Chicago, and the Deep South who pioneered this music.

Coley has worked for 25 years in community development through the arts and education as a producer, coordinator, administrator, fundraiser, performing artist, writer, facilitator and mentor. This afternoon he’s the slyly entertaining man behind the drum kit.

Hayes says the first half of the afternoon is usually the regulars: Fulani herself, Cornell Coley, and standup bass player Larry Roland. The second half of the afternoon program showcases the people they’ve invited to come in and play.

This week’s lineup: Aurelio Ramos, software writer, today an assured keyboard player; Earle Lawrence, middle school teacher, today an imaginative soprano sax and flute player; and David Ehle, longtime jazz guitarist and friend of Coley’s, who plays the circuit from nightclub to senior citizen homes.

This being a musician’s world, schedules are often improvised and today is a providential example. Aspiring young bass player Dan Janis, who lives three streets away from the bookstore, happens to come in because he’s heard of the place. ‘Sent from heaven today,” says Coley, “our bass player cant come. Unpack your bass and step in.”

Toward the end of the afternoon a musician named Hilary steps in to man the congas and play a sensational flute. The miracles keep on popping up.

“The place didn’t always look this good,” says Hayes. “I rummaged around my own cellar found material for table cloths, objects to brighten up the place, bought the little baskets which we load with chips, and improved the lighting.”

“We want this to be intergenerational and educational,” Hayes continued. “With the arts being cut in school, we want to have place for young listeners to come and enjoy music that may be their heritage. We want to expose kids to jazz.”

Near the end of the jam, Hayes invites 7-year-old Marcel to the stage. Nearly dwarfed by the conga drums he sits behind, he gets a touch of stage fright.

“Let me start you off,” says Coley. After about 16 beats, little Marcel’s feet begin tapping and his hands get to work. “He’s right on the time!” Hayes nods approvingly. Marcel finishes, Hayes takes him by the hand to the center of the makeshift stage and tells him to take a bow. The people in the  basement of Jamaicaway Books cheer lustily.

This is exactly what the musicians want - spread the word of the gospel of jazz. and insure that this music is taught, nourished, and thrives in the next generation.

My bet is that Marcel will be there on the congas again next week. Maybe he’ll bring some pals.

Some of today’s playlist
Time After Time
Body and Soul
On A Clear Day
Summertime
Blues Bossa
All the Blues
Girl From Ipanema
Take the A Train
Watermelon Man
That’s All

Comments

[Rose Ann]

Hi, Paul-

I do enjoy your so very well-written reviews. Have you ever thought of bringing them to The Boston Globe, Phoenix, Boston Magazine, etc.?

My 28-year-old daughter Julie, who lives in Jamaica Plain, knows Cornell Coley. Hopefully, she and I will drop in on the jam session some Sunday afternoon. Thanks so much for sharing this and all your other culture experiences!