MATTHEW STEVENS - Josh Johnson - Kyle Miles - Eric Doob
Close Up154 Orchard St, New York 10002
Matthew Stevens leads a four-piece set at Close Up with Josh Johnson on saxophone, Kyle Miles on bass, and Eric Doob on drums. Stevens plays guitar, bringing this working quartet together as his self-titled new album arrives on Candid Records. The record moves between acoustic and electric settings, balancing Stevens originals with personal cover choices, and features contributions from Terri Lyne Carrington, Jeff Parker, Joel Ross, Anna B Savage, and Corey King.
Toronto-born guitarist, composer, producer, and songwriter Stevens has become a sought-after collaborator across modern jazz. His touring and recording credits include Esperanza Spalding, Chief Adjuah, Harvey Mason, Dave Douglas, and Walter Smith III. The new album draws on two decades of his musical exploration while opening a new chapter in his sound. Culturedarm calls it “a deft personal statement” shaped by “choices and textures and musical styles”; Jazz Journal hears Stevens’s “full range of compositions and musical textures.” Jazzwise notes its “highly-polished yet warmly detailed production,” and says the opener “Take Heart” gets “off to a flyer.”
Close Up offers a focused jazz experience in a sleek, minimalist space on Manhattan's Lower East Side, where the sound system and acoustics bring every note into sharp relief. The venue features a small back room that invites close connection with the performers, creating a setting where music is the main event and distractions are minimal. Shows run six nights a week with multiple sets, encouraging a deep dive into the music rather than a casual night out. A bar serves Latin American-inspired bites and cocktails, complementing the listening experience without overwhelming it. The crowd tends to be attentive, drawn by the artist-driven programming that blends classic jazz traditions with fresh, innovative sounds. This is a place to settle in, listen closely, and savor the evolving jazz scene in a refined yet approachable environment.