James Zollar Sextet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
James Zollar brings a sextet to Smalls for two early-evening sets, led by Zollar on trumpet. The group also features vocalist Nabuko Kiryu, tenor saxophonist Stacy Dillard, pianist Steve Hudson, bassist Kyle Colina, and drummer Daniel Prim. It is a compact six-piece lineup that places trumpet, voice and tenor sax at the front of a piano, bass and drums rhythm section, with the night presented live from Smalls and streamed from the club.
Zollar is billed here as the sextet’s trumpeter and leader. The available event information identifies the musicians joining him, but offers no further biographical notes, repertoire details, recording context or critical commentary. What is clear is the particular personnel assembled for this date: Kiryu’s vocals alongside Dillard’s tenor saxophone give the band two distinct melodic voices around Zollar’s trumpet, while Hudson, Colina and Prim supply the piano-trio foundation. Smalls is a basement jazz club in Manhattan with a close-up listening room and a long-running live-stream archive, making this a chance to hear this specific Zollar-led configuration in the club as well as online.
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.