Adam Brenner Octet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Adam Brenner brings an octet to Smalls, with Brenner on alto saxophone alongside Chris Rogers on trumpet, Dan Wilkins and Danny Walsh on tenor saxophones, Frank Basile on baritone saxophone, Tyler Henderson on piano, Joe Michaels on bass and Adam Nussbaum on drums. The lineup gives the band a four-saxophone front line with trumpet, supported by piano, bass and drums. The evening is also scheduled to stream live from the club.
Brenner is a saxophonist and composer whose work has been based around the New York and New Jersey area. He joined the George Coleman Octet in 1987, and is credited elsewhere on tenor and alto saxophone as well as arrangements. His performing and recording credits include Mel Tormé, Vernel Fournier, George Coleman, Harold Mabern, Jamil Nasser, Slide Hampton, Charles Davis and Bill Lee. Musicians including Ahmad Jamal, Lou Donaldson, James Moody, Benny Golson, Michael Brecker and Phil Woods have described his playing as “highly acclaimed.”
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.