STEPHAN CRUMP - YUHAN SU
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Stephan Crump and Yuhan Su meet as a duo for a set written around the contrast and conversation of acoustic bass and vibraphone. Crump brings the bass, Su the vibraphone, in a program the listing describes as vivid duet music from a veteran musical explorer and a rising player. With just those two instruments in play, the evening puts their sound, phrasing, and responsiveness at the foreground.
Memphis native Crump has been based in New York City since 1994, working across multiple music communities as a Grammy-nominated bassist, composer, bandleader, soloist, and educator. He spent two decades recording and touring in Vijay Iyer’s trio and has led groups including Rhombal, Secret Keeper with Mary Halvorson, Rosetta Trio, and Borderlands Trio. The New York Times wrote that he “avoids obvious routes but manages never to lose his way.” Taiwanese, New York-based vibraphonist Su has released five albums as a leader, including Liberated Gesture and 2025’s OVER the MOONs. She has performed with Vijay Iyer, Amir Elsaffar, Greg Osby, and Matt Mitchell; DownBeat called her work “entirely enveloping.”
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.