Eric Alexander Quartet featuring Cyrus Chestnut “Fifth Quadrant” Record Release
Smoke Jazz Club2751 Broadway, New York 10025
Eric Alexander brings his new quartet to Smoke Jazz Club for the record-release night of Fifth Quadrant, his first album as a leader for Smoke Sessions and the group’s first recording. Alexander plays tenor saxophone with pianist Cyrus Chestnut, bassist Nat Reeves and drummer Carl Allen. The album pairs Alexander’s new compositions with modern classics, with the four musicians bringing their shared commitment to melody and swing to the set.
A leading voice in modern jazz since he emerged in the early 1990s, Alexander is known for a powerful sound, a deep command of the bebop tradition and expressive improvising. He has performed and recorded with Pat Martino, Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner, George Coleman, Freddie Cole and the cooperative sextet One for All. His longstanding musical relationships with Chestnut, Reeves and Allen shape this new group. All Music Guide calls Alexander “one of the giants of the tenor sax”; All About Jazz describes him as “one of the more emotive and resourceful improvisers on the scene,” while NPR has called him “one of the finest bebop saxophonists in the world.”
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.