Max Pollak
The Jazz Gallery1160 Broadway, New York 10001
Max Pollak brings his work to The Jazz Gallery for a late-night set that draws on his fusion of jazz, Afro-Caribbean traditions and theatrical roots. Billed simply under his own name, Pollak's concert work combines tap dance, vocals and body percussion, treating the body as part of the musical ensemble. The available information does not confirm the personnel or exact program for this date, but his group music has been described by the Gallery as new chamber music with percussive dance and a Caribbean touch.
A native of Austria, Pollak is the creator of RumbaTap, a meeting point for American tap and Afro-Cuban music and dance. His collaborations range across jazz, classical music and Cuban tradition, including work with Ray Brown, Chucho Valdés, Paquito D'Rivera, Pedrito Martinez, Danilo Pérez, Diana Damrau, Zubin Mehta and Los Muñequitos de Matanzas. The Joyce Theater has called his performances “electrifying, singular.” Pollak has spoken of Los Muñequitos' groove as “so deep” and “ancestral,” a sense of rhythm that helps illuminate the Afro-Caribbean current in his own work.
The Jazz Gallery offers a focused listening room experience on the fifth floor of a Midtown office building, where the audience gathers to hear progressive jazz performed by emerging and established artists. The space is designed to highlight the music without distractions: seating is arranged to bring listeners close to the performers, fostering a direct connection with the sound. There is no food service, but a bar is available, and ticket prices are modest, encouraging accessibility. Shows typically run from 7 to 11 pm on select nights, featuring multiple sets that invite deep engagement rather than casual socializing. The venue’s commitment to artistic growth is evident in its support for new compositions and collaborations, making an evening here a chance to witness jazz as a living, evolving art form in a setting that respects both the musicians and the audience.