The SJZ Break Room emerged during the pandemic, filling a gap in San Jose's jazz scene after the closure of Mama Kin. It’s becoming a platform for new music, highlighted by the upcoming New Works Fest featuring premieres from electric bassist Leela Paymai and bassist Ryan Trujillo. The SJZ Jazz Aid Fund has facilitated commissioning projects supporting artists since 2021, allowing them to explore diverse cultural influences. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for musicians to creatively express their heritage and connect with audiences through innovative works.
Paymai took Farsi classes and heard classical Persian music around the house. She studied classical trombone before moving to the South Bay in 2018 to study music at San Jose State.
It's been so great to see how artists have made use of the opportunity. In the case of Paymai, it's meant delving into her cultural roots in an entirely new way.
Collection
[
|
...
]