THE ARNTZEN FAMILY & FRIENDS
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
The Arntzen Family & Friends bring a family-centered traditional-jazz evening to Barbès. The bill does not specify the personnel for this date, but the group is built around Arnt Arntzen and his musical family, with friends joining the occasion. Expect a set grounded in the New Orleans jazz tradition, rather than a fixed lineup advertised in advance.
Arnt Arntzen grew up learning music from his immediate and extended family, in a Vancouver-based musical context, and has also established a presence in New York. He has played regularly with Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks and the Louis Armstrong Eternity Band. With his brother Evan, he leads several projects, including the Brothers Arntzen, the Arntzen Rhythm Review, and Three Generations of Jazz. The brothers' music has been described by the Vancouver International Jazz Festival as “hot and sweet” and rooted in “the tradition of New Orleans jazz.” Writing about related family performances, All About Jazz called the players “accomplished,” while Jazz Lives praised an Arnt-led group for “inventive swinging” and “delightful versatility.”
Barbès offers a compact, warmly worn space where the music feels immediate and close, with a long wooden bar and a back room under a scarlet ceiling that hosts nightly performances. The venue champions a broad spectrum of global sounds, from Balkan brass and klezmer to Afrobeat and experimental jazz, often featuring residencies like the Slavic Soul Party. The audience gathers around small tables or at the bar, sharing drinks crafted with a nod to French spirits, while the music invites attentive listening rather than loud conversation. Shows usually have a suggested donation instead of a cover charge, creating a welcoming environment where the focus is on the artists. The venue’s commitment to accessibility and its role in Brooklyn’s cultural fabric make it a distinctive spot for an evening of richly diverse live music.