Peter Bernstein Quartet featuring Sullivan Fortner
Smoke Jazz Club2751 Broadway, New York 10025
Peter Bernstein leads a quartet at Smoke with featured pianist Sullivan Fortner, joined by Peter Washington on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums. The four-player set brings together a guitarist associated with straight-ahead swing and a rhythm section built for the music’s drive, harmonic detail, and melodic flow.
Bernstein has spent more than three decades performing and recording with leading jazz figures including Sonny Rollins, Lou Donaldson, Diana Krall, Joshua Redman, and Larry Goldings. The venue calls him one of jazz guitar’s most influential and distinctive voices, noting the lyrical sensibility and harmonic sophistication in his playing. The Guardian hears “a seamless combination of single-line and chordal playing” and says his “harmonic ingenuity is endless.” The Times (UK) calls him “a master of straight-ahead swing with submerged complexities,” adding that the music can be advanced without making “the listener feel 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.