Yayoi Ikawa w/Adam Kolker, Jeremy Stratton, George Schuller
Bar Bayeux1066 Nostrand Ave, New York 11225
Yayoi Ikawa leads a four-person group at Bar Bayeux, joined by Adam Kolker, Jeremy Stratton and George Schuller. The billing names Ikawa alongside the three musicians, with no further repertoire or set details announced, placing the focus on this particular meeting of her New York jazz collaborators.
Born in Tokyo and raised musically in New York, Ikawa is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader. Her work includes the Bridge Project, which fosters musical dialogue between New York and international musicians, and collaborations with Reggie Workman, Michael Carvin, Howard Johnson, Butch Morris, Craig Harris, Lenny Pickett, Frank Lacy and Lonnie Plaxico, among others. A venue profile calls her “a pure expression of New York modern jazz.” Reviewing a 2007 quartet, Jazz in Japan heard “magic with feeling and lots and lots of energy,” citing the group’s “intricate interaction” and Ikawa’s “thick, rich handfuls of piano.” Gil Goldstein has called her “a wonder that comes along very rarely in each generation,” praising her “big intellect, a big emotional spectrum, and totally unique sound.”
Bar Bayeux offers a refined setting where live jazz takes precedence, featuring a narrow room with dark red walls and lush curtains that frame a small performance area near the bar. The seating is a mix of tables, chairs, and bar stools arranged closely, allowing the audience to be near the musicians and fully immersed in the sound. The venue serves artisanal cocktails, natural wine, and craft beer, complemented by a backyard garden space for a relaxed interlude. Shows typically run in multiple sets without a cover charge, encouraging attentive listening with a respectful crowd that values the music over chatter. The evening unfolds with a focus on modern jazz, often featuring both established artists and emerging talents, making it a dedicated spot for serious jazz enthusiasts in Brooklyn’s Prospect Lefferts Gardens neighborhood.