Release Date: June 27th, 2025
The Spontaneous Jam Session “Live at pinkFROG cafe Vol.1” A Live Album Capturing True Musical Spontaneity led & hosted by Marcelo Maccagnan & Maxime Cholley, taking care of the rhythm section, empowered by five other musicians/contributors, creates together a powerful septet serving as a Jam Session, which, like the title says, pretty spontaneous….
About the Recording
Every Sunday at pinkFROG cafe in Brooklyn, musicians gather for The Spontaneous Jam Session co-hosted by bassist Marcelo Maccagnan and drummer Maxime Cholley, who also MCs the event. Unlike a typical jam session, this is a fully improvised experience, where audience members provide prompts—ideas, stories, or themes—that inspire entirely new compositions in real time.
This album is a direct reflection of those sessions. Recorded fully live, it features Simona Smirnova on vocals, Yotam Ishay on keyboard and piano, Andrew Cheng on guitar, Andrew Denicola on saxophone, Marcelo Maccagnan on bass, Maxime Cholley on drums, and special guest Sandra Kluge as a tap percussionist. Throughout one evening, five unique pieces were created based on five audience prompts, each shaping the music on the spot. Each title was assigned after the music was performed, reflecting the essence of the improvisation that unfolded.
The Recording Process
The album was recorded live, with no rehearsals, second takes, or predetermined structures.The musicians listened and reacted in the moment, crafting dynamic, evolving soundscapes that reflect an immediate,collaborative creative process. With influences spanning jazz, world music, and experimental sounds, the album encapsulates the spontaneity and energy of a live performance.
An Interactive Musical Experience
Beyond the musicians, the audience played a vital role in shaping the music. Their prompts set the tone for each piece, ensuring that no two performances were alike. This process not only brings listeners closer to the creative act but also transforms the experience into a shared artistic journey.
photo: Lipyanskiy
About The Spontaneous Jam Session
Since November 2022, The Spontaneous Jam Session has built a dedicated community of musicians and listeners who embrace real-time creativity. It is a place where musicians of all backgrounds—jazz, R&B, Indian classical, Middle Eastern, and beyond—come together to explore new musical possibilities.
About the Hosts:
Marcelo Maccagnan:
Marcelo is an electric and upright bass player originally from Brazil. He has been an active member of the New York music scene, having the chance to perform and record with high-level musicians as a sideman but also a leader.
His playing and compositions are heavily influenced by styles he grew up with such as rock, Brazilian music, electronic music, and Jazz. The result is a truly authentic fusion of sounds which, whilst modern and electric, never loses sight of the improvisation and communication central to jazz. With his latest album “Night Tales”, Marcelo places himself as a prolific bandleader and composer, with music in the genre he calls “Progressive Jazz.”
Maxime Cholley:
Maxime, a French-born musician, is making an impact in the New York City music scene as a drummer, percussionist, and producer.
His remarkable talent has taken him around the world, collaborating with renowned artists like Steve Vai, Tigran Hamasyan, Paul Winter, Eugene Friesen, Darren Barrett, The Living Tombstone, and Broadway conductor Cian McCarthy, among others.
With a distinctive style that encompasses intricate grooves and audacious polyrhythms, Maxime has earned a well-deserved reputation as an innovative and versatile musician. With a rare natural inclination to set up his drum set left-handed, his performances and recordings span across an expansive range of genres, from pop to world music, jazz to rock, and beyond.
Maxime’s unique musical sensibilities have also led to notable commissions, including composing music for Meta (Facebook) and producing for artists like RINI and Simona Smirnova.
Track list:
“A Few More Warm Days”
“Echo Park Rising”
“Real World Human Convention”
“One Part Martyr One Part Fool”
“Staring Up at the Moon”
Line up:
Bass: Marcelo Maccagnan
Drums: Maxime Cholley
E. Guitar: Andrew Cheng
Keyboard/Piano: Yotam Ishay
Voice: Simona Smirnova
Saxophone: Andrew Denicola
Tap Percussion: Sandra Kluge
Band Leaders and Hosts:
Marcelo Maccagnan & Maxime Cholley