Jessy Carolina & the Hot Mess at the Second Avenue Subway Station

Jessy Carolina & the Hot Mess energized a unique party at the Second Avenue subway station platform this afternoon. The Transit Museum parked one of its antique trains from the 1940s at the station, a band was playing hot acoustic jazz, about 100 partiers came dressed as if it was the Ziegfield Follies, and couples danced old time dances. Many men even waxed their long mustaches into twirls. It was like a time travel back to the revelry that accompanied the announcement of the end of World War II!

Formerly known as the Bill Murray Experience, Jessy Carolina & the Hot Mess is a Brooklyn-based ensemble specializing in early American roots and jazz music from the late 1800s to the 1930s. The group features Jessy Carolina on vocals and washboard, Jordan Hyde on guitar, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton on piano and banjo (missing at this performance), Jay Sanford on bass, Mario Maggio on clarinet and Satoru Ohashi on trumpet. All accomplished music students, Carolina authentically embraced an old bluesy vocal style, and the cool clarinet and trumpet players produced genuine vintage jazz. The performance was way more fun than listening to scratchy 78 rpm records!

Visit Jessy Carolina & the Hot Mess at www.jessycarolinahotmess.com.