The Roots of the Jam

The story of Wednesday Night Jams begins with a man known only as Peanuts. Nobody used his real name — he kept it a closely guarded secret his entire life. He was a fixture on the Cleveland music scene from the early 1970s, starting as a roadie for bands like Zephania Cross before finding a home at Scene Magazine as the publication’s representative and emcee at sponsored events.

George Carlin’s voice, David Crosby’s looks, and a dizzying knowledge of the city’s musicians and clubs.

— Cleveland Magazine

In 1975, Peanuts launched the Thanksgiving Eve All-Star Jam: an annual gathering where Cleveland’s best musicians came together on a Wednesday — traditionally the night most working musicians had off — to play for the love of music. No setlist. No rehearsal. No cover charge. Just bring your instrument and get on stage.

The format was always the same: a host band would play a set, then the stage opened to anyone who wanted to sit in. A drum kit and keyboards were always provided. The result was magic — musicians who hadn’t shared a stage in years creating something unrepeatable in a single night.

Over four decades, Peanuts hosted jams at venues across Greater Cleveland: Barney Google’s in ’87, the Hi-Fi Concert Club on Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, Ace’s Grille in Middleburg Heights, and eventually Backstage Bar in Kamms Corners.

The imitators are flattering, but it’s not the real deal unless I’m there.

— Peanuts, self-proclaimed Host of the North Coast

In the mid-1990s, two musicians who had been regulars at the Peanuts jams decided to formalize the host band. Cy Sulak and Jim Bacha created the Peanuts All-Star Jam Band, which went on to host more than half of all the Thanksgiving Eve Jam Nights from that point forward.

Cy Sulak had been playing in Cleveland since the late 1960s. His first band, Alice Blue, featured bassist Mike Solarz and drummer Jerry Shumaker . They pressed two 45s at the legendary Boddie Recording studio in 1970. Alice Blue became Cargo, and members of Cargo formed Sweetleaf, a six-piece with horns that became a major draw on Cleveland’s college bar circuit. Sweetleaf landed a 45 on Musicor Records through Belkin-Maduri Productions — the same outfit that managed the Michael Stanley Band. After Sweetleaf, Cy went on to play with The Dynasoars, My Old School, and Victory Highway, and recorded guitar on Michael Stanley’s solo album Eighteen Down.

Jim Bacha came up through a parallel track in the Cleveland scene, anchoring the bass and vocals in Clearlight/Masque, The Killers, and BMZ. He later joined Monica Robins & The Ninja Cowboys. Jim’s steady, versatile bass work made him the ideal anchor for a jam band format where the personnel changed song to song.

All-Star Jam Band Lineup

Together they formed a revolving-door supergroup of Cleveland scene veterans, capable of backing any musician who stepped up to the mic.

Peanuts passed away on Halloween 2021, from complications after heart surgery. He’d been sending his characteristic blunt-force emails right up to the end — the week before, he’d fired off a critique of Scene Magazine’s 50th anniversary concert list.

Peanuts, his name synonymous with Cleveland rock and roll, has been called to Heaven to organize future All Star Jams in the sky.

— John Gorman, former WMMS program director

The Cleveland music community’s glue for decades … a Northeast Ohio legend.

— Mike Shea, Alternative Press publisher

In April 2022, friends hosted a memorial at the Inferno Lounge at Yorktown Lanes in Parma Heights — a belated birthday celebration where old-time scenesters gathered to share their Peanuts tales.

Backstage Bar opened its doors in Kamms Corners in February 2008 and quickly became a hub for live music. In late 2023, Cy and Jim launched Wednesday Night Jams at the venue — turning the spirit of Peanuts’ annual tradition into a weekly open jam.

The format stays true to Peanuts’ original vision: The Flatliners — the current host band featuring Cy Sulak , Jim Bacha , Alex Koenig , and Tim Ginley — take the stage at 8 PM and play a set. Then the stage opens up. Anyone can sit in. You never know who’s going to show up.

Notable Guest Musicians

Professional sound and lighting are provided by Audio1 Productions. A full backline is available, including keyboards. The kitchen stays open until 11 PM. Admission is always free.

Wednesday Night Jams carries forward what Peanuts understood instinctively: musicians need a place to play together with no agenda, no cover charge, and no ego. Just music.