Wednesday night jazz jams are for ‘any color, any gender, any flavor, any temperature’
Where spontaneity and charm meet in the corner of 25th Street
NEWS
As the piano makes its first movement, followed by the strum of a guitar and bass, a conversation begins to flow and brings the Two Bit Bistro to life as the night grows darker and the crowds grow larger.
Alan and Pepper host a jazz jam at Two Bit Bistro on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Laney Hansen
What started as a relationship between two neighbors became an evening of open mics to the reality of hosting their very own community jazz jam. Alan Winkel and Rafiell “Pepper” Jones began the locally renowned jazz jams over a year ago and have since created a communal space for experts, rookies and fans to coexist and enjoy the music. But before their efforts, the two explained that there wasn’t enough interest in the art. Where there once was a vibrant, big band scene when Joe McQueen stepped out onto the streets, it soon died out along with him, and their mission is to bring a taste back to the music. From bringing in players from Weber State University and college graduates, they have begun to do just that, but, most importantly, they play for themselves.
“We want to play the music, and if people show up, that’s a bonus. But if they don’t, we still like playing the music, right?” Winkel said. “We encourage and invite everybody to sit in with us … it’s a place for them to come and have fun.”
And Pepper agrees similarly that each jazz jam is “exciting” and “internal.”
“If you’ve heard something you were just excited about and wanted to share that with everyone, that’s what we are. That’s what we want to do,” he said. “And we’re good enough to make that happen.”
Within just an hour and a half and a set list of the greats and popular tracks, it is exciting and new every time and has built a crowd of loyal listeners and newbies joining each week. From their usual cast of band members, including themselves and Jack Durbano, a local artist who frequents the station jams, the crowd onstage grows to eight people playing together, listening and molding each role into the harmony being created in front of the dinner table. There are no competitions or hard feelings; it's all a relationship being formed and explodes into a wonderful mix of nostalgia and new flavors. But no matter whose face comes through the door, the band stays true to the heart of the song.
“It's not about money for me, but the younger people that come sit in with us, I would like to see them grow and find more opportunities,” Winkel added. “This is as good as it gets for me. Right now. I love doing this, and I don't need more.”
The instruments continue to play along and each musician is constantly changing, but the love for community is always there. So, come out and sip to some blues favorites for Pepper’s final night. The longtime partner of the weekly tradition will be moving away. You can view his final show this Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m.
“Any color, any gender, any flavor, any temperature are welcome on stage,” Winkel said.
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