New Orleans Jam Session

Dom Pipkin’s New Orleans Jam Session

South London’s Home of New Orleans Jazz & Second-Line Groove
Brass-band swagger, swinging standards, and that unmistakable Crescent City spirit

Mark your calendar each month as Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club turns into a slice of the French Quarter, a monthly New Orleans Jam Session celebrating traditional jazz, second-line rhythms, bluesy brass-band energy, and early swing.

Our jam invites musicians and singers of all levels to bring their instrument (or voice) and join a top-class house band for a night of collective improvisation, big melodies and joyous grooves. The evening begins with a short opening set from the house band before opening the floor to guest musicians. Whether you’re here to play or simply soak up the atmosphere, this is a welcoming, community-driven night celebrating the sound of New Orleans.

One of the UK’s leading New Orleans-style pianists, Dom Pipkin brings authentic Crescent City energy to the jam. A powerhouse vocalist and pianist, Dom is renowned for his deep knowledge of Professor Longhair, Dr John and the great New Orleans piano tradition, blending rolling left-hand grooves, second-line rhythms and infectious stage presence.

Timings

Doors: 6:30pm
House Band Set: 7:30pm
Jam Session: 8:15pm – 10:30pm

Audience: £12 – Sit back and soak up the swing… or dance the second line
Musicians: FREE – Buy a Drink & Join the Jam for FREE

100% of audience ticket sales goes directly to the house band.
By supporting this Jam Session you are supporting a community of musicians.

How to join the jam

• Pick up a Musician ticket online or on the door (free with bar purchase).
• Sign up with the host: list your instrument / vocal range and preferred tunes, keys and styles.
• Keep it tight: short solos, listen hard, and support the ensemble — New Orleans is all about the collective.
• Familiar forms encouraged: blues, early jazz standards, spirituals, Mardi Gras grooves, and second-line feels.

100% of audience ticket sales go directly to the house band.
By supporting this jam you support a community of musicians.

Suggested Repertoire

To keep the night flowing smoothly, we encourage familiar New Orleans standards, blues forms and second-line favourites. If you call a tune, please be ready to lead it (key, tempo and feel). Traditional New Orleans & Street Parade favourites include Bourbon Street Parade, When the Saints Go Marching In, Just a Closer Walk with Thee, St. James Infirmary, Down by the Riverside and Basin Street Blues

Backline & Setup

House kit, guitar amp, bass amp, piano, PA & three vocal mics provided.

Bring: sticks, cymbals, guitars, reeds, harmonicas and any essentials you need.

Horn players especially welcome — this is New Orleans after all.

FAQs

Can beginners join?
Absolutely. We’ll group sets so everyone shines and keep tunes accessible.

Do I need to prepare tunes?
Suggested, but not required. If you call a tune, be ready to lead it (key, feel and form).

Contact

Questions for the host? Contact info@toulouselautrec.co.uk.