September 12, 2025

New Sunday Jazz Jams Launch at SpeakEZ Lounge

News Summary

Tommy Pancy is set to launch a new series of Sunday Jazz Jams at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids. The inaugural session will feature a performance by the house band followed by an open jam, inviting musicians of all skill levels to participate. The sessions aim to focus on jazz standards and create an inclusive atmosphere, making jazz more accessible to the community. Future sessions are planned throughout the fall, promoting local talent and jazz preservation.

Grand Rapids – Tommy Pancy, a saxophonist with influences from renowned jazz musicians such as Dexter Gordon, Charlie Parker, and Lester Young, is set to introduce a new series of Sunday Jazz Jams at SpeakEZ Lounge. The inaugural session will take place on September 14, 2025, starting at 6 p.m. at the lounge located at 600 Monroe Ave. NW.

The Sunday Jazz Jams will begin with a 45-minute performance by the house band, followed by an open jam session. This structure invites participation from musicians of all skill levels, ensuring a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere. Musicians who wish to take the stage will have the opportunity to sign up and perform. The focus will remain on jazz standards, which are timeless pieces integral to the genre.

Among the jazz standards expected to be performed are classics like “Take the A Train,” “Night and Day,” “All of Me,” “Autumn Leaves,” and “Fly Me to the Moon.” Additionally, works from legendary artists such as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane will also be featured, enriching the musical experience for both performers and attendees.

Pancy, who previously facilitated jazz jams at Turnstiles before its closure at the end of July 2025, aims to create a welcoming environment for jazz enthusiasts. He emphasizes that these sessions will strive to be less pretentious than similar events held in larger cities like New York. The mission of the Sunday Jazz Jams is to provide a platform for local talent while preserving the integrity of jazz music.

Future Sunday Jazz Jam sessions are scheduled to continue on September 21, October 26, November 2, November 23, November 30, December 7, and December 28, 2025. Furthermore, a special performance by the band Evidence Jazz is anticipated on October 19, 2025.

This new initiative not only supports the local jazz scene but also addresses the concern regarding the preservation of jazz as a vital form of artistic expression. Pancy has noted that jazz is not a form of art that continually thrives without dedicated efforts from the community.

The Sunday Jazz Jams will kick off a wider series of fall concert events organized by Local Spins at SpeakEZ Lounge. Beginning on September 17, 2025, Local Spins Wednesdays will feature a performance by The Bootstrap Boys. Following that, Friday concerts and one Saturday show will continue throughout the fall, supported by Local Spins, SpeakEZ, Long Drink, and Modelo Especial.

In summary, the Sunday Jazz Jams at SpeakEZ Lounge represent an exciting opportunity for local musicians and jazz lovers to come together. With a focus on standards and an inclusive atmosphere, these sessions will help keep the art form alive in Grand Rapids and beyond.