TAMAR KORN & A KORNUCOPIA
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Tamar Korn brings A Kornucopia to Barbès for a set that refuses a fixed template. The evening can move through early jazz, Western swing, American roots music and Yiddish song, with vocal solos alongside recitations drawn from both new and old poetry and philosophical essays. Korn shapes the repertoire as she goes, and friends may join her, though the listing notes that they are not always named in advance.
Korn has been dazzling Barbès audiences for more than a decade, according to the venue, and is known there for the breadth and unpredictability of her song choices. The listing also identifies her with Brain Cloud and Cangelosi Cards. Her approach is built around abrupt but considered turns: a program may hopscotch between songs from different traditions, then make room for spoken text and solo voice. Rather than presenting a repeatable format, Korn creates the set in the moment, making this a performance shaped as much by its changing sequence as by any one corner of her repertoire.
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.