
"Do you think this bandanna lends me even
more gravitas?" asks
Columbia Chairman
Ron Perry of axemaster
John Mayer during the former's frankly delightful birthday party jam at L.A.'s storied
Troubadour.
The event was filled with biz heavies but sported a loose and playful vibe;
Sony Music boss
Rob Stringer and Columbia EVP/GM
Jen Mallory, among many others, could be observed enjoying the proceedings until the wee hours. The host dug into his
Fender Jaguar with aplomb when not glad-handing the throng of well-wishers. In addition to Mayer (who delivered "Closing Time" with Perry, among other tunes), the parade of performers throwing down included
John Legend,
Pharrell,
Diplo,
Leon Bridges ("Pony"),
Ryan Tedder ("Wonderwall" with Ron, Bridges and Mayer and "Song 2" featuring
Andrew Watt),
Noah Cyrus,
Zhavia,
Rosalía,
HAIM ("Mustang Sally" with Mayer),
Dominic Fike,
Lauren Jauregui,
Joey Badass and
Cameron Dallas.
The early part of the evening saw less famous attendees take a turn at the mic with a karaoke band; that retinue may or may not have included a certain trade hack.