STEVE LEHMAN TRIO + Craig Taborn
Close Up154 Orchard St, New York 10002
Steve Lehman brings his trio to Close Up for a late set, joined by guest pianist Craig Taborn. Lehman plays saxophone with Matt Brewer on bass and Damion Reid on drums, expanding the trio to a four-player group for the evening. The program is presented as part of a night with two sets, and this performance centers the interplay of Lehman, Brewer, Reid, and Taborn.
Lehman is an alto saxophonist, composer, performer, educator, and scholar working across experimental musical idioms. The Guardian has called him “one of the transforming figures of early 21st century jazz,” while The New York Times describes him as a “state-of-the-art musical thinker.” His music for orchestra and chamber ensembles has been performed by groups including the American Composers Orchestra, International Contemporary Ensemble, So Percussion, JACK Quartet, and PRISM Saxophone Quartet. His 2019 recording The People I Love was named among the year’s Top 10 Jazz Albums by NPR Music, Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times. He has also performed and recorded with Anthony Braxton, Vijay Iyer, George Lewis, Jason Moran, Meshell Ndegeocello, Tyshawn Sorey, and others.
Close Up offers a focused jazz experience in a sleek, minimalist space on Manhattan's Lower East Side, where the sound system and acoustics bring every note into sharp relief. The venue features a small back room that invites close connection with the performers, creating a setting where music is the main event and distractions are minimal. Shows run six nights a week with multiple sets, encouraging a deep dive into the music rather than a casual night out. A bar serves Latin American-inspired bites and cocktails, complementing the listening experience without overwhelming it. The crowd tends to be attentive, drawn by the artist-driven programming that blends classic jazz traditions with fresh, innovative sounds. This is a place to settle in, listen closely, and savor the evolving jazz scene in a refined yet approachable environment.