Tony Leone Quintet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Drummer Tony Leone leads a quintet at Smalls, with Mike DiRubbo on alto saxophone, Steve Davis on trombone, Michael Weiss on piano and Mike Karn on bass.
Leone grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, studied with Jackie McLean at the Hartt School of Music, and is a member of Little Feat. His credits span jazz figures including Illinois Jacquet, Lou Donaldson, Slide Hampton, Harold Mabern and George Coleman, alongside Levon Helm, Phil Lesh and Chris Robinson; he also co-founded Ollabelle, whose debut garnered critical acclaim.
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.