JAM SESSIONS: Baltimore provides proving grounds for musicians of all levels

By Timothy Cox/special to Patch.online

BALTIMORE, MD -- On most Tuesday evenings you can hangout at the Keystone Korner and experience some of Baltimore's finest jazz musicians in action.

Led by acoustic bassist extraordinaire Obasi Akoto, the Tuesday night jam sessions dubbed 'Bright Moments,' attract a top-notch crop of jazz musicians, mostly students from nearby Peabody Musical Institute, Towson University, Johns Hopkins, Morgan State University and University of Maryland.

This, according to Mr. Akoto, who has led jam sessions at the downtown restaurant/lounge for the past three years, he said.

A St. Louis native, Akoto spent time in New York City and Canada, where he retired as a music professor at the University of Manitoba.

At age 70, the married grandfather, said he's very satisfied with his recent relocation to Baltimore. "I still do gigs in New York and Philly, so, this is a happy-medium place to live."

Akoto said he's not surprised at the high-caliber of musicians that flock to his jam sessions.

"They're very accomplished, even though they're still young. Most come from area colleges in Baltimore and DC," he said.

During a backstage chop-session with Akoto and Todd Barkan, owner of Keystone Korner, both men agreed that Tuesday nights consistently attract top musicians and jazz-loving patrons too. Weekends typically feature more legendary and nationally-known artists, such as The Blackbyrds and guitarist Norman Brown - both are scheduled to appear at the club in coming months.

For more information about Keystone Korner calendar dates, call 410.946.6726.