Every Wednesday night at The Federal in North Hollywood, some of LA's most accomplished musicians gather for an extraordinary free jam session called The Federal Affair. This weekly event attracts top-tier freelance musicians who regularly perform with artists like Eminem, Dr. Dre, Kimbra, Earth Wind and Fire, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyoncé.

The Federal Affair isn't just another jam session - it's where LA's premier young musicians, mostly in their 20s and 30s, come together to play purely for the love of music. As house bassist Frank Abraham puts it, it's "an opportunity to play good music with your friends."

The caliber of talent is exceptional. On any given night, you might see world-class drummers, guitarists, keyboardists, and vocalists trading spots on stage. Even renowned tap dancer Sarah Reich, known for her work with Postmodern Jukebox and So You Think You Can Dance, has been known to join in, adding percussive rhythms to the mix.

Beyond the music, The Federal Affair serves as a crucial networking hub for LA's music scene. This is where musicians connect, build relationships, and find their next gigs. When established players need substitutes for shows, they often turn to colleagues they've met and jammed with at events like this.

For musicians looking to break into LA's competitive music scene, showing up at jams like The Federal Affair isn't just about the music - it's about becoming part of the community. The most successful freelance musicians aren't necessarily the most technically skilled, but rather those who consistently show up, network, and prove themselves to be reliable and easy to work with.

The Federal Affair represents everything great about LA's music scene: top-tier talent, genuine collaboration, and the pure joy of making music together. Best of all, it's free and open to the public every Wednesday night.

Related Articles

Previous Articles