Wednesday Jams at the Concourse Hotel – the soul of our jazz scene

It makes sense to make my first post about the Weds jams at the Concourse Hotel bar because in my mind this is the heart and soul of the Madison jazz scene. This is where jazz players of all levels gather to hang out, visit with their friends, and sit in with the the all-star band, “The New Breed Quintet.”

“The New Breed Quintet,” features some of Madison’s best jazz musicians in Dave Cooper, Dave Stoler, Nick Moran, and Jamie Ryan. Patrick Briener, a recent transplant from the New York jazz scene, is the newest member and has already upped the ante with his incredible and unpredictable saxophone solos. This is an outstanding band that sounds fresh each week. Many times I’ve thought how lucky I am to be able to drive downtown, find a parking spot right in front of the hotel, and sit down moments later to great jazz played from a few feet away and without paying any cover. Every week I hear jazz equal to jazz I’ve heard at jazz festivals around the country and beyond.

The quintet plays the first set from 9 to around 10 and with the second set the jam session starts. A signup list is put out and players wait to be called up and play 1 or 2 tunes of their choice with the rest of the band. The talent ranges from beginning-intermediate improvisers to local and visiting pros. Like Forest Gump said about a box of chocolates, “you never know what you’re gonna get.”One of the best times to be there is during the Jazz at Five series on State Street, or when other jazz concerts are scheduled. Many other times there will be a jazz pro traveling through stopping by to get their fix of jamming (like the drummer last week). I’ve heard some outstanding pros from just a few feet away, and did I mention it’s always free?

I’ve been going down there regularly since Madison went smoke-free and for me it’s one of the jewels of Madison. Unfortunately, I’m worried about it’s future. The Concourse Bar is undergoing renovations in December and the band won’t be able to play until reopening in January. The word is that it will be turned into a sports bar and the music on the weekends will be gone. Only the weekly jam session will remain, but I wonder for all long? Better get down there while you can!