Peter Bernstein Quartet featuring Sullivan Fortner
Smoke Jazz Club2751 Broadway, New York 10025
Peter Bernstein leads a quartet featuring pianist Sullivan Fortner, with Peter Washington on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums. The evening is presented as a dinner show, pairing Bernstein’s guitar with a rhythm section of longtime jazz specialists and Fortner at the piano. Expect a straight-ahead swing setting shaped by Bernstein’s harmonic detail and lyrical approach.
A distinctive and influential voice on jazz guitar, Bernstein has spent more than three decades performing and recording with leading figures including Sonny Rollins, Lou Donaldson, Diana Krall, Joshua Redman and Larry Goldings. His playing is rooted in the straight-ahead swing tradition while reaching for deep harmonic sophistication. The Guardian calls his technique “amazing,” citing a seamless blend of single-line and chordal playing and “endless” harmonic ingenuity. All About Jazz says he “stands head and shoulders above the crowd,” while The Times describes him as “a master of straight-ahead swing with submerged complexities,” advanced music that never leaves the listener shut out.
Smoke Jazz Club offers a refined evening where jazz takes center stage in a space defined by its candlelit tables, plush red velvet curtains, exposed brick walls, and antique chandeliers. The club spans two connected rooms: one designed for focused listening with impeccable acoustics and iconic jazz photography, and a second lounge featuring a historic full-length bar and café seating. Guests can enjoy classic American cuisine during the first set, which begins at 7pm, creating a supper club experience that blends dining with world-class performances. The venue showcases a mix of legendary artists, contemporary masters, and emerging talents, making each night a unique encounter with jazz artistry. The recent expansion has enhanced comfort without losing the close proximity to the stage that defines the club’s appeal.