Jen Hodge Celebrates 30 Years on Bass!!!
Jalopy Theatre315 Columbia Street, New York 11231
Jen Hodge marks 30 years on bass with an all-star New York jazz band at Jalopy Theatre. Hodge plays bass and sings, joined by Jay Rattman on reeds, Andrew Stephens on trumpet, Sam Chess on trombone, Brennen Ernst on guitar, Jon Thomas on piano, and Kevin Dorn on drums. The program looks back across three decades with music and anecdotes from the road, while also looking forward: this is an early chance to hear new original music and arrangements by the group that will enter the studio in the new year for Hodge’s next album, her first as a New York City bandleader.
The evening celebrates a bassist whose work has carried her from the Yukon to Hong Kong, Andalucía to Arkansas, and through settings ranging from weddings in the woods and dive bars to metropolitan hotels and the GRAMMY Awards. For this occasion, she has assembled musicians described by the venue as favourite co-conspirators from New York’s hot jazz community. Rather than a retrospective alone, the set puts Hodge’s long-running musical life in conversation with a new working band and material still taking shape for record.
Jalopy Theatre offers a unique evening centered on folk and traditional music in a space that feels like a blend of a vintage music hall and a community gathering spot. The venue holds around 100 people, with seating that invites close-up listening, allowing you to catch every nuance of the acoustic performances. The walls reflect its roots in handmade and analog traditions, creating a setting where the music’s authenticity is palpable. Adjacent to the theatre, the Jalopy Tavern serves drinks late into the night, often with live music of its own, extending the experience beyond the main show. Shows are ticketed and often feature multiple sets, fostering a night where the music and the crowd’s focus are intertwined, making it a place to truly immerse yourself in the sounds and stories of roots music.