Homeward sound: Justin Layman's homecoming jam night

Justin Layman's first six months in New York took some getting used to. After moving away from his native Sarasota in December to further pursue his music career, Layman went from a town where he knew almost every musician to a city where hundreds of aspiring performers were all vying for the same open-mic slot. Despite the challenges, he says the move has been a positive one.

"It's definitely a lot different in New York City," he says. It's a lot harder to find places to perform, which has made me focus a lot more on songwriting. And it's made me remember the reason I started playing music in the first place."

Back in town for a week for a high school reunion and a wedding gig, Layman decided to take his favorite hometown pastime — jamming with friends — out of the house and onto the stage.

Tonight at 9 p.m., he's hosting "The Justin Layman and Friends Jam Night" at the Cock & Bull Pub. The loosely structured event will have two drum kits and several guitars and amps for anyone who wants to join in on the reunion fun. Layman says fellow musicians are welcome to jump on stage and play or sing as they please, and the jam will run until everyone decides to call it a night.

"I've just been telling people to throw their guitar in the car," says Layman. "You never know if you'll want to play. I'm excited to see everyone again and just do what we all love to do."