Tuesday night music: L4 Jazz is creating a scene at Metro Pub & Coffeehouse

By Lia Barnes | Staff writer

Metro Pub & Coffeehouse often has live music in their drinking spot, but now the Augusta restaurant is making jazz a weekly occurrence called the Corner Session by music collective L4 Jazz.

The “L” in L4 Jazz comes from the name of the band leader and drummer Lamar Morgan.

“I came back home, and I realized there just wasn’t a lot of jazz happening,” Morgan said “The Augusta music scene is more singer-songwriter, more acoustic, but I really wanted, you know, more jazz to happen. I want Augusta to be a jazz destination; it’s a little more lively when it comes to jazz.”

Morgan originally made a trio with bassist Travis Shaw and pianist Nery Kim. Despite the original group being three people, Morgan decided to call the group L4 Jazz to include musician friends, like saxophonist D. Alex Thomas, guitarist Keith Peterson and Augusta University student percussionist Damian Green. Morgan has even invited the New Light Jazz from Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School to perform.

Being able to play with L4 Jazz is also a form of networking in of itself because Morgan personally handpicks and asks people to help with gigs; however, the people he chooses must have a presence in the city. Having a presence in the city is not only helpful for being part of the L4 collaboration, it is also helpful when finding things to do in the city.

“It’s all about being outside, in Augusta in general,” Morgan said. “If somebody is like ‘there is nothing to do in Augusta,’ it’s because they’re not outside. It’s hard, but once you pierce it, it’s really nice and it moves really quickly.”

The Corner Session is an opportunity to show off jazz talent and provide entertainment and joy to the Augusta community. Because the musicians are picked based on availability, every night is different and exciting in its own way.

Visit Metro Pub & Coffeehouse, 1054 Broad St., every Tuesday between 6 and 9 p.m. to study, grab a drink and watch professional live jazz music. You will have to be 21 or older and provide identification to enter the building after 6 p.m.

Follow L4 Jazz on Instagram @L4jazzcollective or Facebook @L4Jazz, for more information and other dates on their future performances around Augusta.

Note: At the top of the page, the snare drum helps set the beat of jazz performances. Visit Metro Pub & Coffeehouse every Tuesday night for live jazz. (photo by Alena Jarrett on Unsplash)

Contact Lia Barnes at liabarnes@augusta.edu.