Brandon Lee Quintet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Brandon Lee brings a quintet to Smalls for a two-set night led by his trumpet. He is joined by Willie Applewhite on trombone, Martha Kato on piano, Clovis Nicolas on bass and Jimmy Macbride on drums. The frontline pairing of trumpet and trombone gives the group a defined five-piece sound, with piano, bass and drums completing the band for the evening’s live-streamed performance.
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, in 1983, Lee grew up in a musical family and began on piano at an early age before becoming a regular presence in large ensembles and jazz settings. He plays frequently with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, the Fat Cat Big Band and the Eyal Vilner Big Band. His credits also include appearances with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Aaron Diehl and Cécile McLorin Salvant, Kurt Elling, and the Kenny Barron Quintet. This Smalls date places that experience in a working quintet format, with Lee’s trumpet at the head of a band featuring New York players across the horn, piano and rhythm sections.
Smalls is a basement jazz club where the music feels immediate and unfiltered, with the stage just a few feet from the audience. The room is compact, with simple seating that encourages close listening, and a bar that serves drinks but no full kitchen, so the focus stays on the performances. Shows typically feature multiple sets, often extending late into the night with jam sessions that invite spontaneous creativity. The club’s walls are adorned with photos and memorabilia that reflect its deep roots in New York’s jazz scene. The audience is there to listen intently, creating a shared experience where every note can be savored. Expect an evening where the energy of live jazz is palpable and the musicians’ passion fills the intimate space.