April Varner Quartet
The Django2 6th Avenue, New York 10013
April Varner brings her quartet to The Django for a late-night New York jazz set. The vocalist is joined by William Hill III on piano, Aaron Matson on guitar and Eytan Schillinger-Hyman on bass. Fresh from touring with Postmodern Jukebox, Varner returns with a program grounded in the American Songbook and her own approach to vocalese, the lyric-writing tradition built around instrumental jazz solos.
Toledo-born and now based in New York, Varner has built a profile as a bebop-focused singer and contemporary storyteller. DownBeat has praised her “impressive range,” while the venue notes her collaborations with Kurt Elling, Jane Monheit and John Pizzarelli as well as Postmodern Jukebox. Her competition recognition includes winning the 2023 International Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition, an honorable mention in the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Competition, and Rising Star Jazz Vocalist status in the 73rd Annual DownBeat Critics Poll. She was also associated with one of DownBeat’s Best Albums of 2024 and has headlined in the United States and abroad.
The Django offers a subterranean jazz experience inspired by Parisian boîtes, with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick walls that frame a stage equipped with a state-of-the-art Meyer Sound system. The venue combines two cocktail bars and an open dining area where you can enjoy an elevated menu alongside live performances every night. The evening unfolds with a focus on attentive listening, enhanced by award-winning cocktails crafted by Natasha David and a selection of small plates and dinner options. Shows require a cover charge and reservations are recommended to secure your spot. The setting invites you to settle in for a night of rich jazz sounds, fine food, and carefully mixed drinks, all within the cellar level of the Roxy Hotel, creating a distinct mood that feels both exclusive and welcoming.