Sunday Jazz Jam at The Nash Jazz Club
Every Sunday evening at The Nash Jazz Club transforms into one of the Valley's premier jazz jam sessions, led by acclaimed pianist Dave Henning. This weekly gathering represents the pinnacle of Phoenix's jazz scene accessibility—a chance to play with professional musicians in a world-class venue that's been named one of the top jazz clubs in America by DownBeat magazine.
The Vibe: The Nash operates as a nonprofit with a mission to celebrate and preserve jazz through live performances and education. The 114-capacity venue feels intimate yet professional, with excellent acoustics designed specifically for jazz listening. The club maintains a "quiet policy" during performances, creating an environment where music receives the reverence it deserves.
Sunday evenings have a more relaxed energy than ticketed shows—this is the jazz community coming together to play, learn, and share. The atmosphere balances serious musicianship with warmth and inclusivity.
Performances: The jam runs from 6-9 PM, providing three hours for musicians to work through standards, bebop classics, and contemporary jazz compositions. Dave Henning leads a house rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) that provides professional-grade support for horn players, vocalists, and other instrumentalists who sit in.
The session attracts accomplished jazz musicians from across the Valley—conservatory students, working professionals, touring musicians passing through town, and dedicated amateurs who've been studying the music for years. The house band knows hundreds of standards and can comp dynamically through complex changes, creating space for meaningful improvisation.
Entry is $2 for performers and $5 for listeners—a token amount that makes The Nash's exceptional facilities and equipment accessible to the community. The bar serves beer, wine, and cocktails (BYOB also permitted), with food available from nearby restaurants.
For jazz musicians, playing at The Nash—even during a jam session—represents a significant achievement. This is where serious students of the music can test their skills with top-tier accompaniment in a venue that's hosted jazz legends and continues to bring world-class artists to Phoenix.