Tubaist Ralph Hepola at Phoenix Jam Sessions
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2026 12:09 pm
Earlier this year, I spent two weeks in Phoenix, Arizona, the fifth-largest metro area in the U.S. where I sat in at two excellent jazz jam sessions. One is held every Thursday at the award-winning restaurant, Pita Jungle, in Chandler. The other is held Sundays at The Nash a.k.a. Jazz in Arizona Center, a non-profit organization in downtown Phoenix.
At the Chandler jam session, now in its 26th year, I to sat in with pianist/leader Dave Henning and Felix Seinz on bass (shown in the photo). The next week, I played with jam session host and pianist Dave Ihlenfeld who is also an accomplished tubaist. Chris Ross was on bass. At The Nash, I sat in with house musicians Stan Sorenson on guitar and Ted Sistrunk on bass along with guests Micah Ogden, piano and Jim Panaro, drums.
I also experienced two excellent shows at The Nash: saxophonist Sherell Cassity with Richard Johnson, piano; Chris Finet, bass and Lewis Nash; drums. The other was Metta Quintet from New York City with Hans Schuman, drums & leader; Lawrence Fields, piano; Adi Meyerson, bass; Christopher McBride, alto sax; and Ben Flocks, tenor sax. From The Nash website: “Recognized by Downbeat Magazine as one of the “Great Jazz Venues in the World,” The Nash does much more than preserve an original American art form. The music room and education facility create a community of jazz enthusiasts and musicians who build on the past to create a modern musical experience.”
Both Highly Recommended
https://pitajungle.com/locations/chandler/
https://thenash.org/
https://ralphhepola.com/
At the Chandler jam session, now in its 26th year, I to sat in with pianist/leader Dave Henning and Felix Seinz on bass (shown in the photo). The next week, I played with jam session host and pianist Dave Ihlenfeld who is also an accomplished tubaist. Chris Ross was on bass. At The Nash, I sat in with house musicians Stan Sorenson on guitar and Ted Sistrunk on bass along with guests Micah Ogden, piano and Jim Panaro, drums.
I also experienced two excellent shows at The Nash: saxophonist Sherell Cassity with Richard Johnson, piano; Chris Finet, bass and Lewis Nash; drums. The other was Metta Quintet from New York City with Hans Schuman, drums & leader; Lawrence Fields, piano; Adi Meyerson, bass; Christopher McBride, alto sax; and Ben Flocks, tenor sax. From The Nash website: “Recognized by Downbeat Magazine as one of the “Great Jazz Venues in the World,” The Nash does much more than preserve an original American art form. The music room and education facility create a community of jazz enthusiasts and musicians who build on the past to create a modern musical experience.”
Both Highly Recommended
https://pitajungle.com/locations/chandler/
https://thenash.org/
https://ralphhepola.com/