THOMSASTON — This past Sunday the Mike Whitehead Group, featuring Jason Dean on drums, Spike Hyssong on stand up bass, Steve Lindsay on keyboard and Whitehead on trumpet and flugelhorn, set up the first monthly Sunday Jazz Jam at the Highlands Coffee House on Main Street in Thomaston.

After opening the show with three songs, Whitehead and the band started to bring up individual performers to sit in with them, starting with Bryan Jones, a resident of Thomaston. Jones has been playing saxophone for 56 years and it sounded it when he took the stage.

Two songs featuring Jones’ incredible horn work, along with the rhythm section that was into it, and the almost capacity crowd was becoming aware that this day of music was going to be special.

Next up was Lorna Prescott, who wowed the audience with her vocal powers before sitting down at the keyboards and tearing the place up.

Brent Strombeck sat in next, with Whitehead on flugelhorn for a couple of uptempo numbers that had everyone dancing in their seats.

The last featured artist to sit in was Ray Faria, who also played sax. Faria's playing was tight and the crowd was into it as well.

The last song of the afternoon featured the Whitehead Group, along with all the horns that showed up, and by the time they were done the audience was exhausted.

This is the kind of music that is easy to sit and listen to. All obviously very talented musicians getting together to do what they love — play some jazz.

Whitehead said after the show that the members of the group may change from time to time depending on what else they all have going on, but that he has plenty of friends he can call on to make the gig.

Each featured performer gets to play a couple of songs with the band, depending on how many show up. Other musicians that do not want to be featured, but want to sit in, are also welcome.

Jan. 5 from 1-3 p.m. will be the next jam, so mark your calendars and don't miss it. Future jams are scheduled for the first Sunday of every month. All local jazz players are welcome and encouraged to come and sit in with the group. I recommend getting there early for a good seat as they fill up fast.

Click here for a photo gallery from the show

Ron Hawkes can be reached at sports@penbaypilot.com