What we are about...

and what is your community's history?

We all periodically hear references to the southern Willamette Valley's and  Eugene's Jazz 'Community’.  Yet many of us wonder exactly what that means today. It is clear that this metro area has establishments that, at least at times, hire musicians for live jazz performances.  There are venues that present regional and national jazz groups, and those who promote institutional agendas.  

Now, if you are a history buff, you will know about Portland's neighborhood jazz houses… along with the continuous day and night jazz that also fueled cities like Chicago, New York, New Orleans, and even Los Angeles during the 1940’s and 1950’s.  Jazz music was a distinct and ever-present part of society, with shows, performances and other events always filled with audiences.  However, how many recall the later 1970’s in Eugene, where jazz was scalding hot, thriving in as many as 15 venues at one time, a number of them for 5-6 nights every week?  There was a widespread feeling of community membership… a friendly mingling of jazz talent throughout our town.  There were inspiring jam sessions held by such as the sax legend Sonny King.  The Feedmill, which later became Beiderbecks and subsequently Jo Federicos, until 2007 was the longest continuously running jazz establishment on the west coast... 33 years+.  This true jazz club held notably well-attended and jovial jams every Thursday night for decades.  The Eugene Hotel’s 1,000 to 1,500 patron Bib and Tucker lounge (and King Cole Room) had musicians, including well-renown pros, sitting in with local groups, and becoming some of the most epic public jams in the history of local live jazz performance.  The sound seemed to be everywhere, with large audiences throughout our home town listening… while having a great time.

So one might ask, what is our jazz audience and jazz musician community today?   Where and how does it gather?   Is it a vibrant part of our local society?  Do you feel at home with its current state?  Are you uplifted and fed by it, agnostic about our town’s jazz performance opportunities, or perhaps even feeling a bit cynical?

Well, our response to these and other questions is to simply offer a reliable, free and welcoming jazz jam environment.  The Eugene Jazz Jam's mission is to fill what we see as a need… to provide a home for both those jazz musicians who do, as well as those who do not at this time, feel a relaxed and easy connection with fellow players.  This most certainly includes those of you who do not currently participate at all.  It is our belief that, if we provide a truly inviting place and atmosphere, and whether you are a musician or solely an audience member… you will want to be there.

                          ITS YOUR SOUND!