CALEB WHEELER CURTIS - Sean Conly - Michael Sarin
Close Up154 Orchard St, New York 10002
Caleb Wheeler Curtis leads a trio with bassist Sean Conly and drummer Michael Sarin. Curtis moves between stritch, trumpet, soprano and sopranino saxophones; the group plays two sets.
Originally from Ann Arbor and Brooklyn-based, Curtis is an improviser and composer whose work draws on progressive bop and post-Coltrane/Ornette free improvisation. All About Jazz has called him “one of the more daring musicians in jazz today,” while the trio’s recording The True Story of Bears and the Invention of the Battery was praised as “a jubilant and invigorating release.”
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.