SYRACUSE, NY (NCC NEWS) – After being closed for nine months, Jus Sum Jazz Grand Opening had one hot feature and that was live music. The Syracuse Jazz lounge had only been open for 14 days but surpassed their 50 percent capacity each night so patrons can have a drink and listen to music. Shawn Seals, a music director says that now the bars are allowed to have live music he can get back to what he loves, which is performing live.
“When you don’t have the commodities that you’re used to, it plays with your feelings a little bit,” Seals said.
Those feelings Seals had were the uncertainty of how long he would go without having another gig. Governor Cuomo’s executive orders to not have live music and big gatherings came in March to slow the spread of coronavirus. Seals made ends meet by working as a Musical Director at Victory Fellowship Church.
“I’ve been blessed, it’s almost like a catch 22. I’m still playing in church so I still have that stipend but the other things that I had is gone” said Seals.
Seals and his band were on the rise of popularity at the beginning of this year. Playing with locally known artists Bobby Green and always having somewhere to play was never a problem until the pandemic hit.
Seals said, “When your season is gone and you’re booked till up like February, it’s a little interesting”.
The pandemic has allowed Seals to focus on some technical things of the band that he usually didn’t get to because he was busy. Seals said, “I definitely had a lot more time to practice and work on the business side of music…”.
Although the pandemic caused a deficit for most musicians like Seals, the idea of contracting COVID-19 and being in a space where everyone wasn’t safe was a concern to him. Wanting to get back in business was something he wanted, but he also understood the risks of not taking precautions.
“When it gets all figured out, worked out, the CDC decides we’ll take it from there,” said Seals. He added, “I’m really not in a rush, I’m really cautious of large crowds”.
Now that bars and venues are reopening and looking for live music, the competition is heated because many have waited nine months to play again.
Seals gave advice to other musicians who haven’t been able to secure a gig and said “Keep pushing forward, don’t get stuck, you got your music, play to yourself”.
