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Ralph Hepola, Springfield, MO

Tubaist Ralph Hepola: Sitting in at both St. Louis Jazz Jam Sessions

St. Louis, one of the most-important cities in the history of jazz, has two excellent jam sessions. If you blow into town on the fourth Tuesday of the month as I did recently, you can play at Jazz St. Louis, 5:30- 8:00pm. Then stay overnight and play at The Dark Room, one of the Kranzberg Foundation venues, at the weekly Wednesday jam, 6:00-9:00pm. Both organizations are based in the impressive Grand Center Arts District. I sat in with formidable musicians at both venues: at Jazz St. Louis, pianist Antonio Foster, bassist Ben Coan and drummer Jeffery Dhoruba Hill (only his yellow stocking cap is visible in the photo). That jam is hosted by pianist Adaron “Pops” Jackson. The Dark Room jam is hosted by renowned bassist Bob DeBoo with whom I was also fortunate enough to play. Highly Recommended RalphHepola.com