After Hours at Walker|West

The Official JazzFest Jam Session

Unscripted. Unfiltered. Pure Twin Cities Jazz.

Saturday, September 12, 2026 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM Harmony Hall @ Walker|West Music Academy · 650 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul, MN
Free & Open to the Public — No Registration Required
The Legacy Continues

The Heartbeat of the Festival

Presented in partnership with Walker|West Music Academy — the landmark creative home of St. Paul's historic Rondo neighborhood — the Selby Ave JazzFest Jam Session is where the festival truly comes alive after the main stage lights go down.

Built on Rondo's traditions of musicians gathering in living rooms, churches, and corner clubs to trade ideas late into the night, this open jam brings together festival headliners, local legends, students, and surprise guest artists on one stage inside Harmony Hall. Support the set from the front, or bring your horn and sit in — on Selby, everybody is family.

Inside the Jam

On the Bandstand

How It Works

Calling All Musicians… Sit In

  • Open floor setup led by the house band.
  • Instrumentalists & vocalists welcome — step up when the floor opens.
  • Bring your instrument — backline provided (drums, keys, amps).
  • Free entry — no sign-up fee or pre-registration. Just show up and jump in the rotation.

"The jam session is the soul of this festival — a living room for the whole neighborhood, where legends and learners trade one stage."

Plan the Night

The Flow of the Night

8:00 PM

Doors Open / House Band Kickoff

Harmony Hall opens. The Walker|West Faculty X-tet sets the tone as guests settle in.

8:30 PM

Open Floor Jam Session

The rotation opens — musicians jump in and trade with the band. Surprise guests welcome.

10:00 PM

Closing

Last tune, last chord — the bandstand shuts down and Selby carries the night home.

Venue · Harmony Hall @ Walker|West Music Academy Address · 650 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104 Parking · Street parking along Marshall & Selby Transit · Metro Transit bus routes serve Marshall & Selby Avenues

Every Tune. Every Guest. Free.

The official after-hours Jam Session is free admission, open to the public, and welcomes all ages — no registration, no tickets, no sign-up.

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Festival news, schedule updates and the official Jam Session lineup.

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