April Varner Quartet
The Django2 6th Avenue, New York 10013
April Varner brings her quartet to The Django for a late-night set. The New York jazz vocalist and composer leads a band with William Hill III on piano, Aaron Matson on guitar and Eytan Schillinger-Hyman on bass. Expect a vocal-centered program shaped by Varner's command of bebop, the American Songbook and vocalese, with room for the scat singing that has become a hallmark of her performances.
Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Varner has built her New York profile as what The Django calls a “supreme vocalist, a bebop technician and a contemporary storyteller.” She is known both for viral vocalese and solo-transcription videos and for collaborations with Postmodern Jukebox, Kurt Elling, Jane Monheit and John Pizzarelli. Her 2024 debut, April by April Varner, earned a four-star DownBeat review and a place on the magazine's 2024 best-albums list. DownBeat has praised her “impressive range,” while the New York City Jazz Record heard a singer who is “direct” and “authentic,” with “vocal dynamism,” “authentic jazz phrasing” and a “profound command of deep scat and vocalese.”
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.