There are few places in NYC, if not the world, with live Jazz occurring at two places simultaneously under one roof.

 

Every Tuesday at the Roxy Hotel, the Django hosts the 14 piece Grammy-Award winning Mingus Big Band, while rising-star-pianist  Sean Mason leads his group upstairs in the Roxy Bar. By design, these musicians are destined to cross paths, and intermingle socially as well as musically..

 

Last Tuesday evening, veteran drummer Tommy Campbell was performing with the Mingus Big Band. Mr. Campbell has performed with everyone: Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Manhattan Transfer, and many more. While on a break and enjoying his dinner upstairs at the Roxy Bar, the veteran drummer was captivated by the music being made by Sean Mason and the young 20-somethings performing. So much so, he couldn’t help himself but to ask to sit-in with the youngsters, who while all smiling from ear to ear, gladly obliged.

 

As the Mingus Big Band returned to the cellar level for their final 9:30PM set, Mason and his crew of post-Juliard graduates descended after their set to catch the last few tunes. Trumpeter Anthony Hervey, was even given the chance to sit in with the Mingus Big Band.

 

Catch either of these amazing bands, every Tuesday at the Roxy! You never know who may make their way upstairs, or downstairs.