Herlin Riley and Friends
Dizzy's Club102 Columbus Circle, New York 10107
Herlin Riley and Friends brings Riley's quartet to Dizzy's Club for a set built around originals, jazz standards, blues, and soulful vocals. The New Orleans drummer leads with the melodic touch and masterful swing highlighted by the listing, shaping a program that moves between composed material and familiar repertoire. The billed quartet is Riley on drums with Stacy Dillard on saxophone, Tyler Bullock on piano, and Liany Mateo on bass.
Riley is a celebrated New Orleans drummer, known for melodic finesse and dynamic rhythms, with a deep connection to the city's jazz tradition. His work has included performances with Ahmad Jamal and Wynton Marsalis; Time Out also noted how his “propulsive beats” had buoyed Marsalis and Dianne Reeves. In a preview of an earlier appearance, Riley described his approach simply: “some original material, as well as some standards.” That combination of personal writing and durable songbook material frames a bandleader whose playing carries rhythmic force without losing melodic detail.
Dizzy's Club offers a refined jazz experience with a seating capacity of about 140, where guests enjoy live performances from world-class musicians in a room that frames sweeping views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. The venue features a full bar and a seasonal menu with sophisticated soul food, enhancing the evening beyond just the music. Shows are ticketed and typically run two sets per night, with late-night sessions available without reservation. The seating is generally first-come, first-served, encouraging early arrival for the best vantage points. The club’s location within Jazz at Lincoln Center places it in a lively cultural hub, making it ideal for a night that blends attentive listening with the pleasure of fine dining and cityscape views.