Oscar Noriega's CROOKED QUARTET
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Oscar Noriega’s Crooked Quartet brings Noriega’s compositions, alto saxophone and clarinets to Barbès. The group continues the spirit of his long-running Friday Crooked Trio, a project he originally conceived as a vehicle for his drumming. This version puts the focus on his main horns, while retaining the trio’s casual approach through a mix of standards and original pieces. The quartet’s personnel rotates: past and potential collaborators named by the venue include pianist Marta Sanchez, bassist Christopher Tordini, drummer Jason Nazary and trumpeter Justin Mullens, alongside other musicians.
Noriega is a composer and multi-instrumentalist whose Crooked projects have been closely associated with Barbès. Beyond this band, he is a member of Tim Berne’s Snakeoil, Endangered Blood, with Chris Speed, Jim Black and Trevor Dunn, and Boss Tenor. He also co-leads the brass band Banda De Los Muertos with Jacob Garchik. The supplied material does not establish a fixed Crooked Quartet lineup or offer reviewer commentary on the quartet itself, but it makes this a chance to hear Noriega lead a flexible small-group set built around his writing and his alto saxophone and clarinets.
Barbès offers a compact, warmly worn space where the music feels immediate and close, with a long wooden bar and a back room under a scarlet ceiling that hosts nightly performances. The venue champions a broad spectrum of global sounds, from Balkan brass and klezmer to Afrobeat and experimental jazz, often featuring residencies like the Slavic Soul Party. The audience gathers around small tables or at the bar, sharing drinks crafted with a nod to French spirits, while the music invites attentive listening rather than loud conversation. Shows usually have a suggested donation instead of a cover charge, creating a welcoming environment where the focus is on the artists. The venue’s commitment to accessibility and its role in Brooklyn’s cultural fabric make it a distinctive spot for an evening of richly diverse live music.