ETHAN LIPTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra bring their New York quartet to Barbès. The group has been together since 2005, with Lipton on vocals alongside Eben Levy on guitar, Ian M. Riggs on stand-up bass and Vito Dieterle on saxophone. Expect the band’s song-centered set, shaped by Lipton’s writing and the quartet’s lean instrumental interplay.
Based in New York, Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra have become fixtures of the city’s music scene. Their work has been described as “jazzy, brass-festooned songs” with a “funny-miserable take on life,” while New York Magazine named them the city’s “Best Lounge Act.” Lipton has also been characterized as both “a lounge crooner” and a “folk balladeer,” writing songs that address “worldly, and often universal, woes.” The band has appeared on NPR’s Weekend Edition, The World and Soundcheck, and its catalog includes Sandinista, an album of Clash covers.
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.