Rated the #1 Jazz Club in New York City (Secret NYC), Smoke Jazz Club presents some of today’s top trumpeters and saxophonists to the stage during November. The month begins with the return of three saxophonists: acclaimed alto Charles McPherson and his Quintet (Nov 1-5), young rising star Sarah Hanahan and her Quartet (Nov 8), and a double dose of tenor saxophone when legendary George Coleman joins fellow reedman Sean Lyons and his momentous Quintet(Nov 15). The latter part of November welcomes three trumpeters leading their respective groups: Nicholas Payton and his new Trio featuring Alexander Claffy and Joe Dyson (Nov 16-19), followed by David Weiss Sextet (Nov 22), culminating with Jeremy Pelt and his compelling Quintet during Thanksgiving Weekend (Nov 24-26). For the most updated concert schedule, please visit SMOKEjazz.com.
Terell Stafford – trumpet
Jeb Patton – piano
David Wong – bass
Billy Drummond – drums
“No jazz musician of the past 60 years has more palpably channeled the sound of Charlie Parker than alto saxophonist Charles McPherson.” —Jazziz
Alto saxophonist Charles McPherson is one of the most acclaimed and beloved voices in jazz. His rich musical style is rooted in the blues and bebop and has influenced and inspired generations of musicians and listeners for over six decades. McPherson has performed at concerts and festivals around the world with jazz greats like Barry Harris, Billy Eckstine, Nat Adderley, Jay McShann, Phil Woods, Wynton Marsalis, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, and others. In a recent review, Downbeat states, “As a still-vibrant jazz veteran with ties to innovators like Charles Mingus and Lionel Hampton, McPherson’s writing carries on the traditional weight of bebop and swing, buoyed with an inventive, contemporary spark.” His impressive quintet features the trumpet Terell Stafford, pianist Jeb Patton, bassist David Wong, and drummer Billy Drummond.
“Hanahan plays with an intense and driving conviction.” —WBGO Radio
Saxophonist Sarah Hanahan is one of the most exciting, young players to arrive in New York City in years. WBGO Radio says: “While she's comfortable building phrases within the language of Charlie Parker, Hanahan is also confident exploring along the outer edges of the music.” Originally from Massachusetts, she was based in Hartford while she attended the Jackie McLean Institute. The Hartford Courant raves, “It’s not hard to hear the connection to the legacy of McLean in her work.”
Stacy Dillard – tenor saxophone
Cyrus Chestnut – piano
Gerald Cannon – bass
Chris Beck – drums
“The best jazz pianist of his generation.” —Time
Cyrus Chestnut, the soulful and brilliant jazz pianist, leads an exciting quintet with trumpeter Freddie Hendrix, saxophonist Stacy Dillard, bassist Gerald Cannon, and drummer Chris Beck. “His brand of crisparticulation and blues-inflected harmony evokes another era… multifaceted and dynamic…” says The New York Times. Inspired by gospel music throughout his life, Chestnut infuses his swinging, classically trained style with a warm gospel sound. He draws on a range of musical influences while never straying too far from the blues, which the Daily News says makes him “the rightful heir to Bud Powell, Art Tatum, and Erroll Garner.”
George Coleman – tenor saxophone
David Hazeltine – piano
Nat Reeves – bass
Al Foster – drums
“An improviser with stories worth hearing.” —Jazz Journal (UK)
Tenor saxophonist Sean Lyons leads a momentous quintet featuring two living legends, fellow saxophonist George Coleman and drummer Al Foster. Lyons has been immersed in jazz music since birth by listening to his jazz-fanatic father’s extensive record collection. He began studying the saxophone at age 10 with none other than Sonny Stitt and he won numerous honors along the way before graduating Magna Cum Laude from Berklee. His brawny, classic “tough tenor” sound and no-nonsense approach have earned him many fans including some of the music's great masters. In addition to Lyons, Coleman, Reeves, and Foster, the illustrious pianist David Hazeltine completes this most impressive group.
Alexander Claffy – bass
Joe Dyson – drums
“Payton dazzled the audience, simultaneously playing his trumpet and a Fender Rhodes. It's his signature, resonant sound… Payton's genius virtuosity captivated both faithful fans and anyone in the NPR crowd just discovering his music for the first time.—NPR
Multi-instrumental virtuoso and visionary Nicholas Payton returns to SMOKE with an exciting new trio featuring bassist Alex Claffy and drummer Joe Dyson. Originally from New Orleans, Payton is a master trumpeter and pianist steeped in acoustic jazz, post-bop, and the music of his hometown, but who also explores the entirety of Black American Music. He has recorded and performed with Wynton Marsalis, Dr. Michael White, Christian McBride, Joshua Redman, Roy Hargrove, Doc Cheatham, and Joe Henderson, among many others and is widely considered one of the most important artists of our time. In a review, the Chicago Tribune reports, “No descriptive label or category could be affixed to Payton’s solos, which were as brashly original as they were technically imposing.”
“The sextet skirts the outer reaches of straight-ahead jazz, innovating while drawing from tradition.” — JazzTimes
Trumpeter David Weiss is the creative force behind some of the most interesting and consistently rewarding projects in jazz such as the Cookers, the New Composers’ Octet, Point of Departure, and this band, the David Weiss Sextet. It’s a group he formed in 2000 that, like the New Composers’ Octet, was designed to perform new music and explore novel compositional concepts and styles. Over the years, they have released several important and critically acclaimed albums and have developed their own distinctive sound that The Village Voice said, “stretch hard bop’s kind-of-unstretchable formula.”
Jalen Baker – vibraphone
Alex Wintz – guitar
Leighton Harrell – bass
Allan Mednard – drums
“Pelt is a technical marvel. He executes intricate solos with ease, plays gorgeous ballads in a tasteful manner, and never lacks flair or sensitivity.” —Jazz Times
Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt leads his powerful and compelling quintet—with vibraphonist Jalen Baker, guitarist Alex Wintz, bassist Leighton Harrell, and drummer Allan Mednard—fresh off their fall tour of Europe. One of the great trumpet players of his generation, Pelt’s style and approach place him squarely in the tradition of giants like Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard. Of his recent work, the influential blog Burning Ambulance says, “He’s on an extended journey, taking snapshots along the way, and jazz fans would do well to follow him.” The Guardian called his latest project Griot: This Is Important! “a bold jazz attempt at bridge-building in a fragmented age.”
Every Wednesday-Sunday @ 7:00 p.m. + 9:00 p.m. and additional 10:30 p.m. (Fri & Sat only). Doors open at 5:00 p.m.
Smoke Jazz & Supper Club 2751 Broadway
New York, NY 10025
212-864-6662
In-Person $25-$60. Livestream $15. For more information and to make reservations visit our website (link below).
November 2023 Concert Schedule
Wed-Sun Nov 1-5 Charles McPherson Quintet
Charles McPherson – alto saxophoneTerell Stafford – trumpet
Jeb Patton – piano
David Wong – bass
Billy Drummond – drums
“No jazz musician of the past 60 years has more palpably channeled the sound of Charlie Parker than alto saxophonist Charles McPherson.” —Jazziz
Alto saxophonist Charles McPherson is one of the most acclaimed and beloved voices in jazz. His rich musical style is rooted in the blues and bebop and has influenced and inspired generations of musicians and listeners for over six decades. McPherson has performed at concerts and festivals around the world with jazz greats like Barry Harris, Billy Eckstine, Nat Adderley, Jay McShann, Phil Woods, Wynton Marsalis, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, and others. In a recent review, Downbeat states, “As a still-vibrant jazz veteran with ties to innovators like Charles Mingus and Lionel Hampton, McPherson’s writing carries on the traditional weight of bebop and swing, buoyed with an inventive, contemporary spark.” His impressive quintet features the trumpet Terell Stafford, pianist Jeb Patton, bassist David Wong, and drummer Billy Drummond.
Wed Nov 8 Sarah Hanahan Quartet
Sarah Hanahan – saxophone“Hanahan plays with an intense and driving conviction.” —WBGO Radio
Saxophonist Sarah Hanahan is one of the most exciting, young players to arrive in New York City in years. WBGO Radio says: “While she's comfortable building phrases within the language of Charlie Parker, Hanahan is also confident exploring along the outer edges of the music.” Originally from Massachusetts, she was based in Hartford while she attended the Jackie McLean Institute. The Hartford Courant raves, “It’s not hard to hear the connection to the legacy of McLean in her work.”
Thu-Sun Nov 9-12 Cyrus Chestnut Quintet
Freddie Hendrix – trumpetStacy Dillard – tenor saxophone
Cyrus Chestnut – piano
Gerald Cannon – bass
Chris Beck – drums
“The best jazz pianist of his generation.” —Time
Cyrus Chestnut, the soulful and brilliant jazz pianist, leads an exciting quintet with trumpeter Freddie Hendrix, saxophonist Stacy Dillard, bassist Gerald Cannon, and drummer Chris Beck. “His brand of crisparticulation and blues-inflected harmony evokes another era… multifaceted and dynamic…” says The New York Times. Inspired by gospel music throughout his life, Chestnut infuses his swinging, classically trained style with a warm gospel sound. He draws on a range of musical influences while never straying too far from the blues, which the Daily News says makes him “the rightful heir to Bud Powell, Art Tatum, and Erroll Garner.”
Wed Nov 15 Sean Lyons Quintet feat. George Coleman & Al Foster
Sean Lyons – tenor saxophoneGeorge Coleman – tenor saxophone
David Hazeltine – piano
Nat Reeves – bass
Al Foster – drums
“An improviser with stories worth hearing.” —Jazz Journal (UK)
Tenor saxophonist Sean Lyons leads a momentous quintet featuring two living legends, fellow saxophonist George Coleman and drummer Al Foster. Lyons has been immersed in jazz music since birth by listening to his jazz-fanatic father’s extensive record collection. He began studying the saxophone at age 10 with none other than Sonny Stitt and he won numerous honors along the way before graduating Magna Cum Laude from Berklee. His brawny, classic “tough tenor” sound and no-nonsense approach have earned him many fans including some of the music's great masters. In addition to Lyons, Coleman, Reeves, and Foster, the illustrious pianist David Hazeltine completes this most impressive group.
Thu-Sun Nov 16-19 Nicholas Payton Trio
Nicholas Payton – trumpet, piano & keyboardsAlexander Claffy – bass
Joe Dyson – drums
“Payton dazzled the audience, simultaneously playing his trumpet and a Fender Rhodes. It's his signature, resonant sound… Payton's genius virtuosity captivated both faithful fans and anyone in the NPR crowd just discovering his music for the first time.—NPR
Multi-instrumental virtuoso and visionary Nicholas Payton returns to SMOKE with an exciting new trio featuring bassist Alex Claffy and drummer Joe Dyson. Originally from New Orleans, Payton is a master trumpeter and pianist steeped in acoustic jazz, post-bop, and the music of his hometown, but who also explores the entirety of Black American Music. He has recorded and performed with Wynton Marsalis, Dr. Michael White, Christian McBride, Joshua Redman, Roy Hargrove, Doc Cheatham, and Joe Henderson, among many others and is widely considered one of the most important artists of our time. In a review, the Chicago Tribune reports, “No descriptive label or category could be affixed to Payton’s solos, which were as brashly original as they were technically imposing.”
Wed Nov 22 David Weiss Sextet
David Weiss – trumpet“The sextet skirts the outer reaches of straight-ahead jazz, innovating while drawing from tradition.” — JazzTimes
Trumpeter David Weiss is the creative force behind some of the most interesting and consistently rewarding projects in jazz such as the Cookers, the New Composers’ Octet, Point of Departure, and this band, the David Weiss Sextet. It’s a group he formed in 2000 that, like the New Composers’ Octet, was designed to perform new music and explore novel compositional concepts and styles. Over the years, they have released several important and critically acclaimed albums and have developed their own distinctive sound that The Village Voice said, “stretch hard bop’s kind-of-unstretchable formula.”
Fri-Sun Nov 24-26 Jeremy Pelt Quintet
Jeremy Pelt – trumpetJalen Baker – vibraphone
Alex Wintz – guitar
Leighton Harrell – bass
Allan Mednard – drums
“Pelt is a technical marvel. He executes intricate solos with ease, plays gorgeous ballads in a tasteful manner, and never lacks flair or sensitivity.” —Jazz Times
Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt leads his powerful and compelling quintet—with vibraphonist Jalen Baker, guitarist Alex Wintz, bassist Leighton Harrell, and drummer Allan Mednard—fresh off their fall tour of Europe. One of the great trumpet players of his generation, Pelt’s style and approach place him squarely in the tradition of giants like Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard. Of his recent work, the influential blog Burning Ambulance says, “He’s on an extended journey, taking snapshots along the way, and jazz fans would do well to follow him.” The Guardian called his latest project Griot: This Is Important! “a bold jazz attempt at bridge-building in a fragmented age.”
About SMOKE
Located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side at the junction of Broadway and 106th Street (aka Duke Ellington Boulevard), Smoke Jazz Club is one of New York City’s premier live music venues. Renowned for offering top-notch programming of accessible, timeless jazz featuring legendary performers, modern masters and rising stars, Smoke stands apart with its candlelit dining room, stellar acoustics, and classic American cuisine. Founded in 1999, SMOKE also boasts a GRAMMY-nominated label, Smoke Sessions Records, and a celebrated streaming concert series, Smoke Screens.Every Wednesday-Sunday @ 7:00 p.m. + 9:00 p.m. and additional 10:30 p.m. (Fri & Sat only). Doors open at 5:00 p.m.
Smoke Jazz & Supper Club 2751 Broadway
New York, NY 10025
212-864-6662
In-Person $25-$60. Livestream $15. For more information and to make reservations visit our website (link below).
For more information contact AMT Public Relations.
