The SIT-IN SERIES from the Hard Bop Collective aims to provide a formal opportunity for music students to perform with and learn directly from experienced professional Jazz musicians with the goal of providing students with performance skills and confidence building that is not available in the classroom or open mic jam sessions.
Sitting in is not the same as a "jam session". A musician's definition of "sitting in" is to participate in a working group, as a guest, usually to play a couple of songs. This usually occurs at the invitation of someone in the band. This is how Jazz Musicians typically audition and introduce one another.
Every working musician has a story about when they "sat in" and either got or didn't get a gig. It is an essential skill for anyone pursuing a career as a Jazz Musician. The mission of this performance series is to provide a formal opportunity for music students to sit in with professional Jazz Musicians, which aims to help teach students performance skills and confidence building that is not available in the classroom or open mic jam sessions.