The Truth As I See It

In Praise of Open Mics & Jams

Photo by Genesis Salinas

The spirit of the open mic/jam is strong.

The 5th annual Jazz Jam All Stars was spectacular! The All Stars were dazzling and awe-inspiring and the house band was game to play with different artists. Carol Sudhalter at the head of the band was graciously inviting to both All Star participants and audience members alike. The entire experience made me want to pick up the violin I put down after 1st grade. I’m only in my mid 40’s, I think I still have time to shine. The next Jazz Jam is on Wednesday August 13, so swing by if you’re in town.

Flushing Town Hall’s 5th annual Jazz Jam All Stars, July 9, 2025, featured 10 outstanding musicians who regularly perform at our Monthly Jazz Jams. Pictured here in the finale number are (left to right) , Wajdi Cherif (piano), Tony Campo (piano), house band member Joe Vincent Tranchina on piano, Carol Sudhalter, the Master of Ceremonies on sax and flute, Gerald Thomas (bass), Richard Braithwaite (tenor sax), Angela Arthur (vocals), Frank Bergamini (soprano sax/vocals), Keeley Mitchell (vocals), Mimi Block (vocals/violin), Ken Meyer (sax),Gary Davis (guitar, vocals). Photo by Gus Philippas.

FTH 2025 All Stars on the steps of Flushing Town Hall, include: Angela Arthur (vocals), Frank Bergamini (soprano sax/vocals), Mimi Block (vocals/violin), Richard Braithwaite (tenor sax), Tony Campo (piano), Wajdi Cherif (piano), Gary Davis (guitar, vocals), Ken Meyer (guitar), Keeley Mitchell (vocals), Gerald Thomas (bass/piano/sax). These All Stars performed alongside the amazing FTH house band led by Carol Sudhalter, the Master of Ceremonies (sax and flute), with Joe Vincent Tranchina on piano, Scott Neumann on drums, and Eric Lemon on bass. Photo by Gus Philippas.

FTH house band led by Carol Sudhalter, the Master of Ceremonies who also plays sax and flute. The house band includes Joe Vincent Tranchina on piano, Scott Neumann on drums, and Eric Lemon on bass. Photo by Gus Philippas.

I was honored to serve as MC for The Truth As I See It Open Mic which took place on Friday, July 18 at Flushing Town Hall. The reading was a part of the ongoing exhibition The Truth As I See It curated by Zachary Frater. The exhibition will be up until Sunday August 3, 2025, with a closing reception & artist talk on Wednesday July 30, 2025. Check it out while it is still up. People got up and shared so much of themselves. I’ve said it before but I miss being a regular at an open mic so much, and this experience just amplified that tenfold. You can watch the entire event below.

Curator and co-host Zachary Frater with co-host and MC Eliel Lucero (me) - Photo by Genesis Salinas

The readers in the video are:

• Zachary Frater

• Helena Heath

• Rudy Shaw

• Kevin

• Tony Mohammed

• Francie Scanlon

• Jillian Abbott

• Diana R Thompson

• Xtian Avila

• Patricia Silva

• Rute Ventura

• Victor Hogans

• Sherese Francis

• Billy “Gotharts” Levenberg

• Dr. Claudette Joy Spence

• Andres Castro

• and me Eliel Lucero