Jazz Night at the Chalfonte Hotel

Cape May continues to honor its jazz heritage through events like the Chalfonte Hotel’s Tuesday night jazz sessions, where a rotation of musicians performs in the intimate and relaxed atmosphere of one of Cape May’s most historically significant buildings. Carrying on the legacy of jazz nights at the Merion Inn, these gatherings ensure that jazz remains a vital part of Cape May’s cultural fabric.

Bob Shomo, drummer, and curator of Jazz Night, cites world renowned pianist George Mesterhazy as a key musical mentor and collaborator, having played in his trio for 12 years until Mesterhazy’s passing in 2012. George Mesterhazy was responsible for the bulk of musical happenings that took place at the Merion Inn, which was once a haven for local artists. His lasting impact on the Cape May music scene lives on through musicians and events like this one. 

After the Merion Inn closed, Dillon Mullock, Operations Manager at the Chalfonte Hotel, invited Bob to help launch a jazz night. “We were lucky enough to be approached by Vicki Watson to host the Mesterhazy Memorial after party. From there I was able to connect with Bob about jazz night,” recalls Dillon. “It’s a great evening where very talented musicians are invited by Bob to come play. The talent is world class, and it has a steady group of dedicated fans who come each week. It’s hosted in the Henry Sawyer Room, which has a great feel as a jazz room.” 

The instrumentation shifts weekly in coordination with personal availability, but there is a consistent set up of a rhythm section, a guitar player or saxophone player, and either an organ or electronic keyboard. They perform on the petite stage in the spacious and bohemian backroom of the Chalfonte. “It’s not hyperbole to say that the people playing with me are world class musicians from New York City, Philly, and New Jersey,” says Bob.

Bob expressed that “Dillon has been incredibly supportive of the series and has been hands off when it comes to what music is played there, which is very rare and is so very much appreciated. It was his idea and he’s been great!”

Bob views the Tuesday jazz series as a vibrant addition to Cape May’s existing music scene, complementing other events like the Exit Zero Jazz Festival and the Chalfonte’s weekly summertime Howard Street Ramble.

A regular figure in this series, entering his fourth year playing with Shomo, is Behn Gillece. His signature instrument is vibraphone, a percussion instrument similar to a xylophone but using metal bars and resonating tubes through motor-driven disks that create vibrato. The warm and mellow sound produced by the instrument is cohesive to the whimsical energy of jazz. “It’s a relatively rare instrument in the jazz world, and I enjoy bringing its unique sound and voice to the group,” says Behn.

Behn summed up the essence of this gig perfectly when he said “Jazz Night at the Chalfonte is a fun, relaxed evening of great music in a warm, historic setting. There’s an intimate energy in the room—the kind that comes from playing acoustically for an engaged and appreciative crowd. It’s casual but focused, with a real sense of connection between the musicians and the audience. It’s also a great chance to hear top-level jazz in a beautiful, seaside town.”

His favorite thing about jazz night is “Playing with musicians I love and respect, in a setting that’s both historic and charming, in one of the most beautiful towns on the East Coast. There’s a joy and sense of community to these gigs that’s hard to find elsewhere.”

Rooted in tradition, but open to creative exploration, Jazz Night at the Chalfonte is a testament to artistic freedom and a heartfelt continuation of Cape May’s jazz legacy. Thanks to the support of Dillon Mullock, the stewardship of Bob Shomo, and the talent of musicians like Behn Gillece and many more, these Tuesday nights have become more than just concerts—they’re weekly celebrations of artistry, collaboration, and community. As the sounds of jazz echo through the historic Henry Sawyer Room, they carry with them the spirit of past greats and the promise of many sacred nights still to come.

The series will run every Tuesday in July and August, 7:30-10pm. There is no cover charge, but we hear that buying drinks at the King Edward bar is encouraged.