Brandon Lee Quintet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Trumpeter Brandon Lee leads a quintet at Smalls, with Willie Applewhite on trombone, Martha Kato on piano, Clovis Nicolas on bass, and Jimmy Macbride on drums. The group plays two sets, bringing a brass-fronted lineup and rhythm section to the club’s late-evening program. The performance will also be streamed live.
Lee is presented here as the leader and trumpeter of this five-piece band. Applewhite joins him on trombone, while Kato, Nicolas, and Macbride make up the piano, bass, and drums trio behind the horns. No further biographical background, previous collaborations, or critical commentary is provided for the act in the available material.
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.