Elew Trio
Zinc Bar82 West 3rd Street, New York 10012
ELEW Trio is billed at Zinc Bar for this Manhattan date. The available listing identifies the act as a trio led by ELEW, the performance name of pianist Eric Robert Lewis. No personnel or programme details are provided for this particular night, so the focus is simply on Lewis's trio format rather than a specified guest appearance, release, tribute, or themed set.
Lewis is described by Zinc Bar as an American concert pianist whose work has crossed into rock and pop. He calls his approach “Rockjazz,” threading jazz improvisation through rock, and his performances are known for a notably physical, unconventional relationship with the piano. He plays without a bench and sometimes reaches inside the instrument to pull its strings. For an earlier Zinc Bar appearance, the trio was listed with Bar Filipowicz on bass and David Hawkins on drums, following dates opening for Sting on tour, though those personnel are not confirmed for this performance. The available material does not establish where the group is from or include reviewers' assessments.
Zinc Bar offers a richly textured experience where the past and present of jazz converge in a single, dimly lit room adorned with Art Deco details like velvet upholstery, polished brass, and a Parisian zinc bar. The venue’s layout centers around a close-up stage and a vintage bar, creating a setting where the music is both the focus and a shared journey. Patrons can expect expertly crafted cocktails alongside performances that range from world-class jazz to vibrant Brazilian and African rhythms, often featuring multiple sets and occasional late-night jams. The seating is lounge-style, encouraging attentive listening rather than casual chatter, making it a place to immerse fully in the sound. This is a space where history lingers, once hosting legends like Billie Holiday and Thelonious Monk, now continuing their legacy with a sophisticated yet welcoming vibe.