Elew Trio
Zinc Bar82 West 3rd Street, New York 10012
ELEW Trio comes to Zinc Bar with pianist Eric Robert Lewis, who performs as ELEW, joined by Bar Filipowicz on bass and David Hawkins on drums. The billed trio puts Lewis’s piano at the centre of the night, in a format built around his Rockjazz approach: jazz improvisation threaded through rock. No guest, release, tribute, residency, or other special program is announced for this performance.
Zinc Bar describes ELEW as an American concert pianist who found crossover success playing rock and pop music. He is known for an unconventional, physical approach to the instrument, including performing without a bench and reaching inside the piano to pluck its strings. Lewis calls his musical idea “Rockjazz,” framing it as jazz improvisation “through the eye of the needle of rock.” The trio arrives fresh from opening for Sting on tour, according to the venue’s band listing. No hometown for the group or critical reviews are given in the available material.
Zinc Bar offers a richly textured experience where the past and present of jazz converge in a single, dimly lit room adorned with Art Deco details like velvet upholstery, polished brass, and a Parisian zinc bar. The venue’s layout centers around a close-up stage and a vintage bar, creating a setting where the music is both the focus and a shared journey. Patrons can expect expertly crafted cocktails alongside performances that range from world-class jazz to vibrant Brazilian and African rhythms, often featuring multiple sets and occasional late-night jams. The seating is lounge-style, encouraging attentive listening rather than casual chatter, making it a place to immerse fully in the sound. This is a space where history lingers, once hosting legends like Billie Holiday and Thelonious Monk, now continuing their legacy with a sophisticated yet welcoming vibe.