Billy Hart Quartet
Smoke Jazz Club2751 Broadway, New York 10025
Billy Hart leads his quartet at Smoke Jazz Club, with Mark Turner on tenor saxophone, Ethan Iverson at the piano, Ben Street on bass, and Hart on drums. The evening is presented as a dinner show, pairing the band’s set with the club’s supper service. The New York Times has called this group “one of the leading bands in jazz,” making the date a chance to hear a long-running working band with four deeply established improvisers.
An NEA Jazz Master, Hart has been a central drummer in jazz for more than six decades. His performance and recording history includes Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Shirley Horn, Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery, Otis Redding, and Sam & Dave. The venue describes his approach through rhythmic imagination, sensitivity, and fearless creativity. The Detroit Free Press hears the music in expansive terms: “Freedom, discipline, daring, passion, swing, broken rhythm, orchestral textures, interactive sparring, shocking dynamics, astounding creativity and authority.”
Smoke Jazz Club offers a refined evening where jazz takes center stage in a space defined by its candlelit tables, plush red velvet curtains, exposed brick walls, and antique chandeliers. The club spans two connected rooms: one designed for focused listening with impeccable acoustics and iconic jazz photography, and a second lounge featuring a historic full-length bar and café seating. Guests can enjoy classic American cuisine during the first set, which begins at 7pm, creating a supper club experience that blends dining with world-class performances. The venue showcases a mix of legendary artists, contemporary masters, and emerging talents, making each night a unique encounter with jazz artistry. The recent expansion has enhanced comfort without losing the close proximity to the stage that defines the club’s appeal.