Kevin Hays Quartet w. Ben Wendel
Jazzcultural347 West 46th Street, New York 10036
Kevin Hays leads a quartet at Jazzcultural, joined by Ben Wendel on tenor saxophone, Rick Rosato on bass, and Terri Lyne Carrington on drums. The piano-led group is billed with Wendel as a featured collaborator, bringing four established players together for the evening; the performance will also be livestreamed.
Hays was born in New York City and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut. A Grammy-winning pianist and composer, he is known for a sound combining “a deeply expressive, melodic sensibility and keen rhythmic sense,” and his recording and touring collaborators include Chris Potter, Joshua Redman, Sonny Rollins, John Scofield, Joe Henderson, and Roy Haynes. Scofield has called Hays “all encompassing, and phenomenally so!” Wendel, born in Vancouver, raised in Los Angeles, and now based in Brooklyn, is a Grammy-nominated saxophonist, composer, producer, and founding member of Kneebody. His work has included collaborations with Tigran Hamasyan, Bill Frisell, Terence Blanchard, Antonio Sánchez, Gerald Clayton, and Prince.
Jazzcultural offers a distinctive live music experience in Manhattan, housed in a space that invites close connection between performers and audience. The venue features a modestly sized room where the sound carries clearly, allowing even those at the back to catch the nuances of each set. Seating is available but limited, encouraging an attentive listening environment without the distraction of a bustling bar scene. The venue operates with ticketed shows, often featuring multiple sets that stretch into the late evening, giving you a full night of music. While there is a bar, the focus remains on the performances, making it a place to immerse yourself in the artistry of jazz. The neighborhood adds a quiet charm, making the walk to and from the venue part of the evening’s rhythm.