Vallejo Jazz Jam keeps the groove alive at the Mira Theatre
May 14-The latest Vallejo Jazz Jam session is set for Saturay at the Mira Theatre.
Sessions are held on the third Saturday of each month and run for two hours from noon to 2 p.m.
A $10 donation is requested to help cover rental costs.
"We'll get singers and tap dancers from time to time," said Patricia Kutza, co-founder and facilitator of the Vallejo Jazz Jam. "We're like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates. We just never know who'll show up," For Kutza, her goal for each session is to create a supportive, non-competitive environment for musicians of all skill levels, ages, and genders."
Although the Vallejo Jazz Jam is demographically mostly men and middle-aged, Kutza encourages and welcomes women to be part of it.
Kutza co-founded the Vallejo Jazz Jam with bassist Ariane Cap.
The two first met when Kutza interviewed Cap for her Vallejo Community Issues Examiner blog.
"She taught as well as performed. She had a big following already. We got to talking and thought it would be great to start a jam," said Kutza.
Cap was with the Vallejo Jazz Jam for the first four years before her departure.
Kutza said that over the years, the Vallejo Jazz Jam has developed "a core group of musicians" that come to play.
"At various other popular jams, sometimes people who sign up do not get to play," said Kutza. "With Vallejo Jazz Jam, everyone who comes plays."
Members may also request tunes to play.
During the interim period, two weeks before the next jam session, Kutza will send a list via Google Share for musicians to practice ahead of time.
"I typically distribute Concert, Bb, and Eb versions of each tune in our playlist in order to maintain consistent key signatures across various instruments," said Kutza.
Kutza added that at times there may be players who want to sit-in for a tune, develop a comfort level, and eventually play.
"Certainly musicians love to show their chops, but the ones who fully shine are the ones who come to listen to other musicians play. That's where that magic element happens," said Kutza.
Whether participants come to escape personal stress, for the love of music, or both, Kutza said the event offers a place for people to come together.
"Of course, I don't know what the lives of our jammers are like. But this is that special place to put that aside and get a little magic in their lives," said Kutza.
Throughout its 11 years, the Vallejo Jazz Jam has held jam sessions at various locations, including Community Methodist Church, Consumer Music on Tennessee Street and First Presbyterian Church in Vacaville.
Its first and current jam location is at the Mira Theatre.
"We've come back to roost, so to speak, at the Black Box Theatre inside the Mira," said Kutza.
In January 2025, the Vallejo Jazz Jam held its first concert, "A Night of Blues, Bossa and Beyond," at the Mira Theatre.
The Vallejo Jazz Jam has also presented "Speaking in the Key of Meaning," a collaboration with Poetry by the Bay at the Mira Theatre last June.
Vallejo Jazz Jam Combo performances have been held at the Solano County Library Foundation Authors' Luncheon Gala in Vacaville, as well as at senior living communities, including Waterford at Rossmoor Senior Living Community in Walnut Creek, Ivy Park at Glen Cove in Vallejo, and Aegis Living in Pleasant Hill.
When it comes to jazz as an art form, Kutza said it brings together generations and opportunities, especially in the Bay Area.
"The Bay Area is so wonderfully diverse. There are so many influences of music and opportunities to help jazz survive," said Kutza. "A lot of colleges in the Bay Area have jazz departments. That helps to educate the next generation of jazz musicians."
The Vallejo Jazz Jam will perform at the Vallejo Garden Tour on Sunday at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To learn more about the Vallejo Jazz Jam, visit www.facebook.com/VallejoJazzJam
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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 7:27 PM.