Oscar Noriega's CROOKED QUARTET
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Oscar Noriega brings his Crooked Quartet to Barbès for a set built around his compositions and standards. Noriega leads on alto saxophone and clarinets, revisiting the relaxed format of his long-running Friday Crooked Trio engagement while putting the focus on his main instruments. The billed quartet uses a rotating cast rather than a confirmed fixed lineup for this date; musicians who often appear include pianist Marta Sanchez, bassist Christopher Tordini, drummer Jason Nazary and trumpeter Justin Mullens.
A composer and multi-instrumentalist, Noriega has been a regular presence at Barbès through the Crooked Trio, whose weekly run developed into what Barbès Records called a “tight unit.” Beyond this project, he is a member of Tim Berne’s Snakeoil, Endangered Blood and Boss Tenor, and co-leads the brass band Banda de Los Muertos with Jacob Garchik. The group is identified with Brooklyn through its longstanding Barbès connection, though the available material does not give a separate hometown for the quartet. Its earlier trio repertoire was described by Barbès Records as “their own book of standards,” a useful frame for a program that balances familiar material with Noriega’s writing.
Barbès offers a compact, warmly worn space where the music feels immediate and close, with a long wooden bar and a back room under a scarlet ceiling that hosts nightly performances. The venue champions a broad spectrum of global sounds, from Balkan brass and klezmer to Afrobeat and experimental jazz, often featuring residencies like the Slavic Soul Party. The audience gathers around small tables or at the bar, sharing drinks crafted with a nod to French spirits, while the music invites attentive listening rather than loud conversation. Shows usually have a suggested donation instead of a cover charge, creating a welcoming environment where the focus is on the artists. The venue’s commitment to accessibility and its role in Brooklyn’s cultural fabric make it a distinctive spot for an evening of richly diverse live music.