LUKE BERGMAN - MARTIN NEVIN - JASON BURGER
LUKE BERGMAN, MARTIN NEVIN, JASON BURGER
Close Up154 Orchard St, New York 10002
Luke Bergman brings a pedal steel guitar trio to Close Up with Martin Nevin on bass and Jason Burger on drums. The group plays two sets, drawing on a repertoire of mostly covers. Bergman’s pedal steel is the focal point, its slower, swelling voice shaping the material, while Nevin and Burger work as a responsive rhythm section: active, careful and directed toward the whole arrangement.
Originally from Washington state, Bergman developed his musicality across several instruments and is particularly noted for bass work with Bill Frisell, Cuong Vu and Ted Poor. Nevin’s bass playing has been described as anchoring this trio with “remarkable delicacy,” always active yet considerate. Burger has played in the bands of Andrew Bird, Big Thief and Kenny Werner. In Max Kutner’s words for All About Jazz, the three musicians sound like “three wise men who prefer to observe more often than describe their subject,” a useful picture of the group’s measured, collaborative approach.
Close Up offers a focused jazz experience in a sleek, minimalist space on Manhattan's Lower East Side, where the sound system and acoustics bring every note into sharp relief. The venue features a small back room that invites close connection with the performers, creating a setting where music is the main event and distractions are minimal. Shows run six nights a week with multiple sets, encouraging a deep dive into the music rather than a casual night out. A bar serves Latin American-inspired bites and cocktails, complementing the listening experience without overwhelming it. The crowd tends to be attentive, drawn by the artist-driven programming that blends classic jazz traditions with fresh, innovative sounds. This is a place to settle in, listen closely, and savor the evolving jazz scene in a refined yet approachable environment.