Billy Hart Quartet
Smoke Jazz Club2751 Broadway, New York 10025
Billy Hart brings his quartet to Smoke Jazz Club for a dinner show, leading a band with tenor saxophonist Mark Turner, pianist Ethan Iverson, and bassist Ben Street. The group puts Hart’s drums at the heart of a four-way conversation, with Turner, Iverson, and Street joining a leader whose work spans more than six decades. The evening presents this longstanding working quartet in the club’s listening room, with dinner served as part of the show.
Hart is a drummer and NEA Jazz Master regarded as one of jazz’s most influential figures. Across his career, he has performed and recorded with Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Shirley Horn, Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery, Otis Redding, and Sam & Dave. His playing is described as a singular blend of rhythmic imagination, sensitivity, and fearless creativity. The New York Times has called the quartet “one of the leading bands in jazz.” The Detroit Free Press heard “freedom, discipline, daring, passion, swing, broken rhythm, orchestral textures, interactive sparring, shocking dynamics, astounding creativity and authority,” then offered a direct recommendation: “Want to know what jazz is really about? Listen to Billy Hart.”
Smoke Jazz Club offers a refined evening where jazz takes center stage in a space defined by its candlelit tables, plush red velvet curtains, exposed brick walls, and antique chandeliers. The club spans two connected rooms: one designed for focused listening with impeccable acoustics and iconic jazz photography, and a second lounge featuring a historic full-length bar and café seating. Guests can enjoy classic American cuisine during the first set, which begins at 7pm, creating a supper club experience that blends dining with world-class performances. The venue showcases a mix of legendary artists, contemporary masters, and emerging talents, making each night a unique encounter with jazz artistry. The recent expansion has enhanced comfort without losing the close proximity to the stage that defines the club’s appeal.