Waldron Mahdi Ricks Quintet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Trumpeter Waldron Mahdi Ricks leads a quintet for two sets at Smalls, joined by Dave Mullen on tenor saxophone, Kuba Cichocki on piano, Belden Bullock on bass, and Steve Johns on drums.
Ricks has performed with the Bert McGowan Jazz Quintet, the Percy France Jazz Combo, and the Willie Williams Quintet. He has also led groups in New York clubs and toured Europe with tenor saxophonist James Carter.
Smalls is a basement jazz club where the music feels immediate and unfiltered, with the stage just a few feet from the audience. The room is compact, with simple seating that encourages close listening, and a bar that serves drinks but no full kitchen, so the focus stays on the performances. Shows typically feature multiple sets, often extending late into the night with jam sessions that invite spontaneous creativity. The club’s walls are adorned with photos and memorabilia that reflect its deep roots in New York’s jazz scene. The audience is there to listen intently, creating a shared experience where every note can be savored. Expect an evening where the energy of live jazz is palpable and the musicians’ passion fills the intimate space.