Rodney Jones / Didier Conchon Quartet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Rodney Jones and Didier Conchon lead a two-guitar quartet with Lonnie Plaxico on bass and Connor Parks on drums. The night features two sets by this four-piece lineup.
New York-based guitarist and composer Jones moves between jazz standards, groove and funk, and music “written from the inner life.” Blue Note calls him an “underrated cool-toned guitarist” at his best in “straight-ahead settings”; his career includes work with Jaki Byard, Chico Hamilton, Dizzy Gillespie and Lena Horne. Conchon has performed with musicians including Wayne Dockery, Alain Jean-Marie, Christian Escoudé, Thomas Dutronc and Archie Shepp.
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.