TJG George Wein Fellowship Commission Becca Stevens
The Jazz Gallery1160 Broadway, New York 10001
Becca Stevens brings her George Wein Fellowship Commission to The Jazz Gallery with a four-person lineup: Stevens on guitar and vocals, Gretchen Parlato on vocals, Brad Kolonder on banjo, and Alan Hampton on bass. The commission places Stevens's songwriting and collaborative instincts at the center of the evening, pairing two distinctive vocalists with the unusual color of banjo and bass.
Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Stevens grew up with Appalachian folk music and draws on “Appalachian folk roots, a background in jazz, and a love of experimental indie.” A two-time GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, she is known for emotionally resonant work that blurs folk, jazz, and pop. Her collaborators include David Crosby, Jacob Collier, Michael League, Brad Mehldau, Chris Thile, Laura Mvula, Antonio Sánchez, Ambrose Akinmusire, Parlato, and Lionel Loueke. The New York Times called her debut, Tea Bye Sea, “impressively absorbing”; The Boston Phoenix praised her “big voice and no-bull emotional delivery.” JazzTimes called Stevens an “x-factor artist” who takes music in “unexpected directions.”
The Jazz Gallery offers a focused listening room experience on the fifth floor of a Midtown office building, where the audience gathers to hear progressive jazz performed by emerging and established artists. The space is designed to highlight the music without distractions: seating is arranged to bring listeners close to the performers, fostering a direct connection with the sound. There is no food service, but a bar is available, and ticket prices are modest, encouraging accessibility. Shows typically run from 7 to 11 pm on select nights, featuring multiple sets that invite deep engagement rather than casual socializing. The venue’s commitment to artistic growth is evident in its support for new compositions and collaborations, making an evening here a chance to witness jazz as a living, evolving art form in a setting that respects both the musicians and the audience.