Join Steve's Vocal Jams
Are you a vocalist looking for an opportunity to sing with a jazz trio? Steve hosts vocal jams in his home, and typically opens the three-hour session up to four or five jazz vocalists. Participants typically come with 3-5 tunes they'd like to sing, and take turns singing with the band while the others listen. These sessions are FUN, FUN, FUN! Vocalists of all abilities are encourage to attend. These events are about gaining experience and being supportive of one another, not about being critical of technique or musicality.
The band serves up tunes in a spacious environment with professional equipment, including a Steinway Model B grand piano, upright acoustic bass, and Gretsch jazz drum kit. A PA system and microphone are available for vocalists (you may supply your own microphone if desired.)
The band normally plays from singer-supplied lead sheets, in jazz chart format. This means they have a melody on a treble clef staff, with chord symbols above the measures, transposed to the key in which it should be played. Both the pianist and the bassist need a copy. If the tune is a really popular standard, the vocalist may ask the band to use iRealB; this tool can transpose to any key, but has less information for the band to use to play sight-read artistically.
How to get started? Contact Steve and get on the invitation list!
2024 Vocal Jam Schedule
Upcoming Sessions - Special Sessions for Students of Greta Matassa
Scheduling in progress.
Past Sessions
Sunday, Aug 7, 2022 (12pm-4pm) FULL - Special session in collaboration with Greta Matassa studio, with Dennis Gathard (bass), Stuart Laughlin (drums), and Steve Jones (piano). Room for five vocalists.
Saturday, May 28, 2022 (12pm-4pm) FULL - Special session in collaboration with Greta Matassa studio, with Dennis Gathard (bass), Mike Eaton (drums), and Steve Jones (piano). Room for five vocalists. This session was video recorded on Facebook (Steve Jones Jazz)
Saturday, May 14, 2022 (12pm-4pm) FULL - Special session in collaboration with Greta Matassa studio, with Dennis Gathard (bass), Stuart Laughlin (drums), and Steve Jones (piano). Room for five vocalists. This session was video recorded on Facebook (Steve Jones Jazz)
Saturday, Apr 30, 2022 (12pm-4pm) FULL - Special session in collaboration with Greta Matassa studio, with Dennis Gathard (bass), Stuart Laughlin (drums), and Steve Jones (piano). Room for five vocalists. This session was video recorded on Facebook (Steve Jones Jazz)
Saturday, Apr 2, 2022 (1pm-4pm) - With Mike Eaton (drums), Karl Baker (bass), Steve Jones (piano).
Sunday, Feb 20, 2022 (1pm-4pm) - With Mike Eaton (drums), Dennis Gathard (bass), Steve Jones (piano). Vocalists include Julie Creswell, Pamelagrace Beatty, and Nancy Byers.
Sunday, Jan 30, 2022 (4:30pm-6:30pm) - With Mike Eaton (drums), Will Stump (bass), and Steve Jones (piano).