Craig Handy and 2nd Line Smith
The Django2 6th Avenue, New York 10013
Craig Handy brings 2nd Line Smith to The Django for a five-piece set built around saxophone, guitar, organ, sousaphone and drums. Handy is joined by guitarist Matt Chertkoff, organist Kyle Koehler, sousaphonist Kenny Bentley and drummer Donald Edward. The project draws on New Orleans music, revisiting Handy originals and standards associated with the late organist Jimmy Smith through groove-filled arrangements. Expect the band’s brass-and-organ weight to meet second-line rhythmic ideas rather than a straight repertory reading of the material.
Handy began his career alongside Art Blakey, Roy Haynes, Abdullah Ibrahim and the Mingus Dynasty Band, and earned notice early on for “technical mastery and prodigious post-bop talent.” His range also includes work with Betty Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Herbie Hancock, Cedar Walton, Wynton Marsalis and The Cookers. The group’s recorded music has been described by Jazzwise as “rootsy, hard-swinging jazz” and “an irresistible recipe for dancing,” while JazzTimes heard Handy’s playing as “shamelessly soul-baring.” Time Out New York called it a “downright funky good time.”
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.