John Raymond Quintet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
John Raymond brings a quintet to Smalls for a two-set evening of jazz, leading on trumpet with Lucas Pino on tenor saxophone, Paul Cornish on piano, Pablo Menares on bass and Jay Sawyer on drums. The listing presents the group as the John Raymond Quintet, with the five musicians forming a trumpet and tenor front line over piano, bass and drums. It is a compact working-band setup, suited to the close-listening conditions of Smalls' basement room, where the focus stays on the musicians and the unfolding conversation among the instruments.
Raymond is identified on the bill as the group's trumpeter, alongside Pino, Cornish, Menares and Sawyer. The available event information does not provide biographical details about Raymond's hometown, recordings, regular projects or past collaborators, nor does it quote reviews of his work. What it does establish is a lineup of five named players: trumpet, tenor saxophone, piano, bass and drums. That personnel gives the night its specific shape, with Raymond's quintet rather than a solo appearance or a pickup jam session.
Smalls is a basement jazz club where the music feels immediate and unfiltered, with the stage just a few feet from the audience. The room is compact, with simple seating that encourages close listening, and a bar that serves drinks but no full kitchen, so the focus stays on the performances. Shows typically feature multiple sets, often extending late into the night with jam sessions that invite spontaneous creativity. The club’s walls are adorned with photos and memorabilia that reflect its deep roots in New York’s jazz scene. The audience is there to listen intently, creating a shared experience where every note can be savored. Expect an evening where the energy of live jazz is palpable and the musicians’ passion fills the intimate space.