Ben Stivers Organ Quartet
The Django2 6th Avenue, New York 10013
Ben Stivers brings his Organ Quartet to The Django for a late-night set built around familiar songs heard from a different angle. The billed quartet is led by the keyboardist, and the venue describes the music as a funky organ-trio approach to tunes listeners may recognize, recast rather than simply reproduced. Expect an organ-led reading of the songbook, with the emphasis on Stivers’s arrangements and the group’s take on well-known material.
Stivers is a keyboardist whose credits include work with the Bee Gees, Lyle Lovett, Rosanne Cash, Greg Allman and Sting. That range places this Django date in the hands of a seasoned sideman and bandleader who has moved among major artists’ projects while developing his own organ-centered format. The available information identifies his collaborators and his role on keyboards, but does not name the other musicians in this billed quartet or provide further biographical detail.
The Django offers a subterranean jazz experience inspired by Parisian boîtes, with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick walls that frame a stage equipped with a state-of-the-art Meyer Sound system. The venue combines two cocktail bars and an open dining area where you can enjoy an elevated menu alongside live performances every night. The evening unfolds with a focus on attentive listening, enhanced by award-winning cocktails crafted by Natasha David and a selection of small plates and dinner options. Shows require a cover charge and reservations are recommended to secure your spot. The setting invites you to settle in for a night of rich jazz sounds, fine food, and carefully mixed drinks, all within the cellar level of the Roxy Hotel, creating a distinct mood that feels both exclusive and welcoming.