Hot Jazz In The Hamptons

This winter, two local restaurants are heating things up with weekly live jazz jam sessions.

The Pizza Place in Bridgehampton has incorporated “The Real Jazz” into its Monday night dinner service. The open jam is open to seasoned pros and up-and-comers alike. And Page at 63 Main in Sag Harbor hosts “The Jam Session” with the Thursday Night Live Band regulars, plus invited guest musicians.

The main motivation for both of these weekly jams: keeping jazz alive.

The Pizza Place owner Jed Feldman gave up playing the saxophone in 1980 to begin a restaurant career. Nearly 30 years later, he ran into Dennis Raffelock, a professional jazz vocalist and upright bass player, who planted the idea of a jazz jam session in Mr. Feldman’s head.

“I’d known Jed for a few years,” Mr. Raffelock said during a recent phone interview. “I used to host a jazz show on 88.3 FM in the ’90s and he called in to make requests often. Whenever I went into The Pizza Place, I always enjoyed the music he had playing.”

When Mr. Raffelock decided to start a jazz gig on the South Fork, he thought The Pizza Place would be the perfect venue. Mr. Feldman agreed.

“I thought it’d be a great idea to entertain the community, but also give me a chance to spread my wings a bit,” Mr. Feldman said.

Both Mr. Raffelock and Mr. Feldman reported that a lot of the same audience returns each week and really appreciates the music.

“We put out a lot of quality music, it’s really a wonderful thing we have going,” Mr. Raffelock said. “It’s such an open atmosphere, very friendly and non-judgmental, which gives new musicians a chance to feel comfortable working on their craft.”

According to Mr. Feldman, there are many regular musicians who play each week but there are also several other musicians who show up to sit in.

The weekly staple at The Pizza Place is duo Dennis Raffelock on upright bass and vocals alongside Don Stein on piano, but other musicians are always welcome.

On a Monday night last month, the aromatic smells of Italian food filled the air as Mr. Stein and Mr. Raffelock were joined by Dick Behrke on trumpet, Julian Pascual on guitar, John Cataletto on drums, Charlie Notturno on drums and Mr. Feldman on the tenor sax. It was fairly early yet in the evening but already more than a dozen diners had come out just for the occasion.

“The crowd has been very strong lately,” Mr. Feldman said. “In the back room of the restaurant, you’ll find people who take the music more seriously and who really pay attention. But there is another room in the front for the more casual listener. You hear the music perfectly well, but you can also be a little removed from it and carry a conversation.”

The format is relaxed and unrehearsed, according to the owner.

“Someone calls out a song, plays the melody and we all take turns improvising,” Mr. Feldman said. “People come in and grab something to drink, maybe order a pizza. It’s a lot of fun.”

Later that same week, on a Thursday night at Page at 63 Main, jazz dominated the restaurant scene. Guitarist Bryan Campbell, bassist Peter Weiss and drummer Claes Brondal entertained the full restaurant, jamming for two straight hours from 7 to 9 p.m. George Howard, audio engineer of Rocking Horse Studio, records the live sessions and streams them on WPPB 88.3 FM every Wednesday starting at 7 p.m.

“Professional musicians come all the time to hear these guys,” Mr. Howard said, projecting over the music. “In fact, the famous Randy Brecker is here tonight, having dinner right over there with his family.”

Mr. Brecker, a well-known trumpeter and flugelhornist, has performed on hundreds of albums with other musicians, ranging from James Taylor and Bruce Springsteen to Frank Sinatra and Frank Zappa.

That night, the temptation to just sit and listen proved too much of a challenge for the versatile musician. As is often the case with those who come to “The Jam Session,” Mr. Brecker wasn’t there just for dinner; he had brought his trumpet along and sat in to improvise with the band for a couple of songs.

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he Pizza Place in Bridgehampton hosts “The Real Jazz” every Monday night from 6 to 8 p.m., led by musical director Dennis Raffelock. No cover, no minimum. Call 537-7865 for additional information or reservations. Page at 63 Main in Sag Harbor is home to “The Jam Session” on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $5. “The Jam Session” is broadcast on WPPB 88.3 FM every Wednesday at 7 p.m. For reservations or information, call 725-1810.