Wednesday Night Jazz Jam

The Wednesday Night Jazz Jam is back at The Dark Room at The Grandel this Wednesday, October 28, from 6 to 9 PM. It's a weekly St. Louis mainstay that's been running for more than a decade, presented by the Kranzberg Arts Foundation. The night is free and family-friendly, aimed at bringing jazz within reach of people of all ages and backgrounds.

On the stage, Bob DeBoo hosts the evening, and the set pairs standards and originals with an open jam session where anyone in the room can join in. It's a celebration of the city's jazz legacy and its future, and because it's an open jam, the music changes depending on who shows up. If you play, you can get in on the action; if you don't, you can just listen.

The setting adds to the occasion. The Grandel is a multi-purpose arts facility in the Grand Center Arts District, housed in a Congregationalist church built in the late 19th century. The Dark Room is its most intimate stage, with a full-service bar, photography exhibits along the walls, and a state-of-the-art sound system. It's a good spot to settle in for the evening, whether you're there for the music or the company.

Seating is limited and first-come, first-served, so it's worth arriving early if you want a guaranteed seat. The kitchen runs from 6 to 8 PM, and the music goes until 9. Admission is free.