All that jazz: The Cap’s Thursday night tradition

Tejiri “TJ” Emore on sax, with Joel Miller (sax, left), John Bailey (drums), and Jason Flores (bass, right) performed during Jazz Night at The Cap. (Jennifer Williams/AQ)

Every Thursday from 9 p.m. to midnight, The Wilser’s Room at The Cap comes alive with local musicians, students and friends for a pay-what-you-can jazz night.

Behind the steady beat of the night is Fredericton drummer Jon Bailey, who has been part of the city’s music scene for years. 

“I come from a musical family,” said Bailey.  “My brothers both sing and play guitar and mandolin, my sister plays classical piano. So, I kind of came up learning from them, playing rock and blues before I got into classical and jazz.” 

Bailey’s music career started in the Fredericton High School stage band under the direction of Don Bosse and later joined the concert band. He attended Acadia University and earned a Bachelor of Music in 2009. 

“With jazz, you do your preparation before, and then it comes out naturally on stage,” he said. “The key is listening … really listening to the musicians you’re playing with. The music will tell you what to play if your ears are open enough.” 

Bailey said The Cap offers a space where musicians can freely explore their sound. 

“This isn’t background dinner music,” he said. “We can play original material, take solos and really express the art form. Jazz has deep roots as an African American art form and we try to respect that while keeping it alive in our own way.” 

Brett Angler, from Bryant Pond, Maine, discovered the event while passing through Fredericton after attending the Celtic music festival in Nova Scotia. 

“I was just looking for some live music,” said Angler. “The band’s tight, you can tell they’ve played together for a while. The drummer is technical and sensitive with timing and dynamics. I’ll definitely be back next time I’m in town.” 

Angler said it’s encouraging to see younger musicians bringing their own interpretation to the genre. 

“Obviously, always happy to see a new generation appreciating jazz, not just sitting and listening, but interpreting it in their own way and continuing it,” he said. 

Students from St. Thomas University (STU) and the University of New Brunswick (UNB) often make up a large part of the audience and sometimes even the band. 

Tejiri “TJ” Emore, a third-year sociology student at the UNB, plays saxophone alongside Bailey and other local musicians. 

“The first song we did was Girl from Ipanema and honestly, we butchered it,” said Emore. “The older musicians gave us advice and encouraged us. I’ve learned so much since then.” 

Emore said jazz night offers him an escape from the stress of student life. 

“I’m lucky to be here, able to study and play music,” he said. “Coming to The Cap, you just feel free. If you come to a Thursday jazz night, you’ll never feel the same way about jazz again. It’s so fresh and different.” 

Bailey said the venue’s openness and supportive audience keep the sessions going. 

“People come to actually listen here,” he said. “There’s a respect for the art and that’s rare.” 

Thursday jazz nights at The Cap in Wilser’s Room are pay-what-you-can, featuring performances by Joel Miller on saxophone, Jon Bailey on drums, Jason Flores on bass and a guest appearance by Tejiri “TJ” Emore on saxophone. 

For Bailey and his bandmates, it’s not just another gig, it’s a way to keep Fredericton’s jazz spirit alive.