Harlem’s Minton’s Playhouse grooved today as the NYC Jazz Jam drew 800. Over 20 musicians—sax, piano—jammed till 1 a.m.; a Bronx trumpeter’s solo won X’s 6,000 clips. Tickets at $15 sold out; $10 wings flew. Free improv lessons—100 tried; 62°F night buzzed. NYC’s jazz—Harlem’s soul swings.
Host Jamal Reed, 53, kept stage hot—his Monk riff killed. Trumpeter Jada Hill, 27, stunned with ‘Round Midnight’—crowd roared. A pop-up vinyl stall—50 Coltrane LPs sold—drew collectors. New mics—crystal sound—lifted vibe. Minton’s heart—NYC’s music lives.
It’s not flawless—late start; tech lagged 10 minutes. Bar jammed—drinks took 15 minutes. Still, 20 players, 800 fans—jam’s a hit. Post-show, 125th Street buzzed—jazz talk flowed. Weekly now—NYC grooves.
Reed’s 53—jazz king? Hill’s 27—horn star. Harlem swung; NYC glowed. Jazz Jam—note on.