Jochen Rueckert Quartet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Jochen Rueckert brings his quartet to Smalls for an early-evening pair of sets. The drummer leads Alexandra Ridout on trumpet, Kevin Sun on tenor saxophone, and Hamish Smith on bass. The group plays primarily Rueckert’s original compositions, while leaving room for glimpses of jazz history in the repertoire. It is a four-way conversation built around drums, brass, tenor saxophone and bass, presented in Smalls’ close-listening basement setting.
Born in Germany and now based in New York City, Rueckert is a jazz drummer, composer and bandleader. He spent a dozen years touring with earlier versions of his own quartet featuring Mark Turner, Lage Lund, Mike Moreno and Matt Penman. His wider work includes Melissa Aldana’s and Fred Hersch’s trios, the Kurt Rosenwinkel New Quartet, Seamus Blake and Chris Cheek’s Reeds Ramble, Nils Wogram’s Root 70, and Marc Copland’s trio. For this current group, the Vortex Jazz Club calls Ridout, Sun and Smith “a band of standout young musicians,” a concise description of the players joining Rueckert for his original music.
Smalls is a basement jazz club where the music feels immediate and unfiltered, with the stage just a few feet from the audience. The room is compact, with simple seating that encourages close listening, and a bar that serves drinks but no full kitchen, so the focus stays on the performances. Shows typically feature multiple sets, often extending late into the night with jam sessions that invite spontaneous creativity. The club’s walls are adorned with photos and memorabilia that reflect its deep roots in New York’s jazz scene. The audience is there to listen intently, creating a shared experience where every note can be savored. Expect an evening where the energy of live jazz is palpable and the musicians’ passion fills the intimate space.