“Entering its second quarter century as committed as ever to pure jazz (All About Jazz),” SMOKE Jazz Club continues its 25th anniversary season with a month of some of today’s most essential jazz artists.
November begins with audience favorites: trumpeter Nicholas Payton leading his improvisational project Nouveau Standards (Oct 30-Nov 3) followed by trombonist Steve Davis at the helm of his All-Star Sextet celebrating a new SMOKE Sessions Records album (Nov 6-10). SMOKE is thrilled to celebrate the 80th birthday of piano giant George Cables (Nov 13-17), the return of pianist Renee Rosnes (Nov 20-24) followed by the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with multi-Grammy-nominated vocalist Tierney Sutton and special guest Lenny White (Nov 29-Dec 1). For the complete November schedule and most updated calendar, please visit SMOKEjazz.com.
November 2024 Concert Schedule (subject to change):
Wed-Sun October 30-November 3: Nicholas Payton + Nouveau Standards
Nicholas Payton – trumpet
Kevin Hays – piano
Vicente Archer – bass
Bill Stewart – drums
“Payton’s genius virtuosity captivated both faithful fans and anyone in the NPR crowd just discovering his music for the first time.” – NPR
Grammy Award-winner Nicholas Payton leads his Nouveau Standards project featuring straight-ahead, improvisational music showcasing the virtuoso multi-instrumentalist exclusively on trumpet. Backed by an all-acoustic quartet of renowned instrumentalists, including pianist Kevin Hays, bassist Vicente Archer, and drummer Bill Stewart, Payton explores a repertoire steeped in tradition but with a nod toward the future. This quartet honors the greats through fresh takes on standards but also through original “nouveau” classics. Payton is a master trumpeter who brings insight, inspiration, and passion to a wide spectrum of Black American Music. He is widely considered one of the most important artists of our time. In a review, the Chicago Tribune states, “No descriptive label or category could be affixed to Payton’s solos, which were as brashly original as they were technically imposing.”
Wed-Sun November 6-10: Steve Davis All-Star Sextet We See album release
Steve Davis – trombone
Eddie Henderson – trumpet
Ralph Moore – tenor saxophone
Renee Rosnes – piano
Essiet Essiet – bass
Lewis Nash – drums
“Steve Davis is the Poet Laureate of the trombone.” – Chick Corea
Trombone master Steve Davis celebrates the release of his new live album We See (SMOKE Sessions Records, released 10.25.24) featuring the spectacular all-star sextet that recorded on the SMOKE Jazz Club stage. Davis is joined by trumpeter Eddie Henderson, saxophonist Ralph Moore, pianist Renee Rosnes, bassist Essiet Essiet, and drummer Lewis Nash. “A major jazz trombonist since he joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in 1990,” according to The New York City Jazz Record, Davis has also been a SMOKE favorite for many years. “He has established himself as one of the most accomplished and lyrical improvisers on his instrument as well as a prolific composer,” says Jazz Times, while Downbeat adds, “Davis thoughtfully balances modernism, lyricism, and drive—as a writer and a player.”
Wed-Sun November 13-17: George Cables Quartet 80th Birthday Celebration
George Cables – piano
Craig Handy – tenor saxophone
Sean Conly – bass
Jerome Jennings – drums
“Anyone who is serious about jazz will tell you that George Cables belongs in the pantheon of the greatest jazz pianists.” – All About Jazz
Piano great George Cables, known for his impeccable sound, sensitive accompaniment, and original playing, celebrates his 80th birthday with his stellar quartet. A major artist and important collaborator of artists like Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Dexter Gordon, and Art Pepper, Cables is also an important leader who has released numerous classic recordings. The New York City Jazz Record says, “He is a piano giant.” National Public Radio adds, “His solos reveal a deep sense of groove and pacing and a mind at work.” His stellar quartet features saxophonist Craig Handy, bassist Sean Conly, and drummer Jerome Jennings.
Wed-Sun November 20-24: Renee Rosnes Quartet
Renee Rosnes – piano
Steve Nelson – vibraphone
Peter Washington – bass
Lewis Nash – drums
“Few jazz pianists are as scarily satisfying.” – The Times (UK)
Renee Rosnes, one of the essential pianists and composers working today, leads a quartet of some of her favorite colleagues. “Her style at the keyboard is powerful and modernistic, combining classical technique and sharp, clean phrases with a dramatic compositional style,” says Stereogum, “The music is reminiscent of mid-’60s Blue Note albums by players like Joe Henderson, Andrew Hill, Bobby Hutcherson (with whom Rosnes worked), Sam Rivers, Wayne Shorter, and Tony Williams; it swings, and never loses touch with the blues, but it’s also abstract and biting.” Rosnes’s impressive quartet includes vibraphonist Steve Nelson, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Lewis Nash.
Wed November 27: Abena Koomson-Davis Quintet featuring Steve Davis
Abena Koomson-Davis – vocals
Steve Davis – trombone
Rick Germanson – piano
Danton Boller – bass
tba – drums
“I was really blown away by her. Not just her voice — her voice is incredible — but her spirit.” – Natalie Merchant re: Abena Koomson-Davis
Acclaimed vocalist Abena Koomson-Davis features her trombone master husband, Steve Davis, in an exciting quintet with pianist Rick Germanson, and bassist Danton Boller. From jazz to afrobeat to acapella choral singing, vocalist Abena Koomson-Davis spans a colorful range of musical genres. An original cast member of Broadway’s FELA and musical director of the Resistance Revival Chorus, she has shared the stage with many luminaries, including Angelique Kidjo and Natalie Merchant. Abena can be heard on two duets from Merchant’s most recent release Keep Your Courage. Earlier this year, she released her first jazz album, Where Is Love? It also features Davis, one of the great jazz trombonists, who celebrates his SMOKE Sessions Records album release earlier this month on the SMOKE stage.
Fri-Sun November 29-December 1: Tierney Sutton with special guest Lenny White
Tierney Sutton – vocals
Christian Jacob – piano
Ricky Rodriguez – bass
Lenny White – drums
“A serious jazz artist who takes the whole enterprise to another level.” – The New York Times
Tierney Sutton, the nine-time GRAMMY-nominated jazz vocalist, returns to SMOKE by popular demand backed by a sublime trio with pianist Christian Jacob, bassist Ricky Rodriguez, and special guest drummer Lenny White. One of the most acclaimed jazz vocalists, Sutton is renowned for her impeccable voice and imaginative treatments of standards, and she has received GRAMMY nominations for every project she has released in the last decade. Jazz Times describes her recent recordings as marking her transition “from great to iconic.” The New York Times adds, “Ms. Sutton is a pure jazz spirit who respects a song. Even when going out on an improvisatory limb, she never lets its essence slip away.”
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. For everything else, visit SMOKEjazz.com.
Ticketing + Information:
When: 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. (unless otherwise noted).
Where: SMOKE Jazz Club, 2751 Broadway (between 105/106th Streets), New York, NY, Train: 1 to 103rd Street.
Tickets: In-Person $25-$65. Livestream $15. For more information and to make reservations, please visit SMOKEjazz.com.
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