Eric Alexander Quartet featuring Cyrus Chestnut “Fifth Quadrant” Record Release
Smoke Jazz Club2751 Broadway, New York 10025
Eric Alexander brings his quartet to Smoke Jazz Club for a Fifth Quadrant record-release set, with Cyrus Chestnut on piano, Nat Reeves on bass and Carl Allen on drums. Alexander’s new album is his first as a leader for Smoke Sessions and the quartet’s first recording. Its program combines his new compositions with modern classics, framed by the four players’ shared commitment to melody and swing.
Alexander made his name in Chicago before establishing New York as his home base, and has been a leading modern-jazz voice since the early 1990s. His playing is rooted in bebop, with a powerful tenor sound and expressive improvising; All Music Guide calls him “one of the giants of the tenor sax,” while NPR hails him as “one of the finest bebop saxophonists in the world.” He has performed and recorded with Pat Martino, Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner, George Coleman, Freddie Cole and One for All. Baltimore-bred Chestnut brings a piano style shaped by gospel, blues and swinging hard bop.
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.