Don’t miss SJZ’s newest program exploring the music of exciting artists and the music that inspires them. This edition of “The Hang,” features one of the Bay’s most exciting drummers Thomas Pridgen and is part of a weekend residency including a guest stint at the free all-ages SJZ Break Room Jazz Jam on Friday, January 16.

Come down early to have a drink and hang with friends and SJZ staff while listening to deep cuts from vinyl LPs personally chosen by Pridgen earlier in the day at one of Downtown San Jose’s prime album spots, Needle to the Groove. Needle drop is 7pm, sharp! At 8pm, Howard performs a set with his band. After the concert, feel free to grab another drink and hang with the band for a chat from 8:45–9:30. Check out The Hang. It’s part sophisticated listening session, part vinyl night, part live jazz performance, part discussion… and all hang.

Thomas Pridgen is a powerhouse drummer whose blistering technique has taken him from gospel to rock with the Mars Volta and collaborations with Christian Scott, Keyshia Cole and Wicked Wisdom. The Grammy Award winner won Guitar Center’s Drum-Off at 9 and earned a Berklee scholarship at 15.

Born in 1983 in Alameda County, California, Pridgen has worked on diverse projects including the Memorials, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra with Brent Hinds and William DuVall, and Pinnick Gales Pridgen. That 2013 album with Eric Gales and dUg Pinnick featured covers like Cream’s “Sunshine of Your Love” alongside original material. His philosophy remains simple: follow the music and have fun.