Kind Of Blu Jam March 27, 2013

KIND OF BLU JAM: A weekly jazz jam session held by Eddie Layman on drums, Christy Smith on bass and since it's a brand new 2013, this year the format will be slightly different. The jam will feature a new pianist weekly and this week, the exciting Tan Wei Xiang.

One of the most exciting jazz pianists to emerge in the Asian jazz scene, Weixiang has been performing in New York City for the past 4 years, performing along the likes of Grammy-award winners Brian Lynch, Joe Lovano and Dave Samuels, and rising jazz heavyweights like Eli Degibri and Ari Hoenig. He has performed in noted New York clubs Blue Note, 55 Bar and Smalls. His playing is heavily influenced by Jean-michel Pilc, Keith Jarrett and Bud Powell. Weixiang's playing has been described by Pilc as 'ruthlessly inventive'.

Jam Sessions are an old Jazz tradition, and serve several important functions in the Jazz community. They allow emerging players to test their skills in front of an audience. Jam sessions also provide an opportunity for "cutting contests" where musicians vie for dominance by comparing their imaginations and improvisational skills in a live face-to-face situation. Also, Jam sessions allow musicians new to the area to network, and show what they have to offer.