October Jazz Jams Bring Community Together Through Music

LOGAN, Utah — Jazz Jams will continue its season at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Taggart Student Center Hub Stage.

The concert will feature guest artist Daniel Jonas, the director of jazz studies at Weber State University, along with USU music students and audience members who wish to participate.

The monthly Jazz Jams give students the opportunity to listen to live jazz and support their fellow students who are learning this art form.

“Jazz is a unique American music and a cultural treasure, but you don’t often get a chance to see it performed,” said Associate Professor Braun Khan. “The opportunity to have performances like this on campus is really special.”

Each month features a different guest artist to help music students build relationships with professionals within the music community.

“It gives our students an opportunity to connect with professionals in the larger music scene,” Khan said.

According to Khan, USU music students look forward to this event because it gives them a chance to play and develop their skills, especially since they are put on stage without any rehearsal.

“Students just go and decide to play a standard tune, and it’s expected that people know those tunes. They just count it off and play it,” Khan said. “The focus is on learning and performing standard repertoire and being able to play tunes in a professional way without any rehearsal.”

Anyone, including members of the larger community, can show up with an instrument, sign up to play a tune and join in on other tunes.

“Jam sessions are a really big part of the jazz tradition and how students learn this music,” Khan said. “It’s important for the university to help continue that tradition.”

Jazz Jams is free and open to the public with no tickets required. For more information, visit USU’s online calendar.