RUSSELL HALL
Close Up154 Orchard St, New York 10002
On November 18, bassist Russell Hall is billed at Close Up for an all-ages evening. The listing gives no accompanying musicians or repertoire, so this is a chance to hear the New York session and freelance bassist under his own name, with the specifics of the group left open.
Hall was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and raised in Miami, Florida. He began playing and recording at 13, then studied at Juilliard with Ben Wolfe, Ron Carter, and Wynton Marsalis. Now working across New York’s music scene, his session and freelance career has taken him through “virtually every facet” of it, according to the venue bio. Another artist bio calls him an award-winning double bassist and notes that he was introduced to jazz at the Dillard Center for the Arts, directed by Christopher Dorsey. Hall also has the Pirate Rock Band, Bessie and the Rainbowkids; the listing flags the band’s album COLORZ, due on Ring Road Records in April 2026.
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.