Billy Hart Quartet
Smoke Jazz Club2751 Broadway, New York 10025
Billy Hart brings his long-running quartet to Smoke Jazz Club, with tenor saxophonist Mark Turner, pianist Ethan Iverson and bassist Ben Street joining Hart on drums. The group has been together since 2003, and this date puts four improvisers with a deep shared language in the club’s listening room. Hart’s playing is the organizing force, but the quartet is known as a band of equals, alert to shifts in pulse, texture and momentum.
Born in Washington, D.C., Hart is an NEA Jazz Master whose career has included work with Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Shirley Horn, Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery, Otis Redding and Sam & Dave. The New York Times has called this quartet “one of the leading bands in jazz,” while the Detroit Free Press heard “freedom, discipline, daring, passion, swing, broken rhythm, orchestral textures, interactive sparring, shocking dynamics, astounding creativity and authority.” Reviews of its recordings also describe music that is spontaneous, “beautifully crafted,” and rich with references to the jazz tradition. Time Out calls the group “one of the finest working bands” in jazz today.
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.