JAMES CARNEY QUARTET
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
James Carney brings his quartet to Barbès for an evening led by the award-winning pianist, keyboardist and composer. The set centers on Carney’s improvising and composing, with the band format giving his wide-ranging musical ideas room to develop in real time.
Carney is known for an original, polystylistic approach that explores both tradition and the avant-garde. He has recorded as a leader for Sunnyside, Clean Feed, Jacaranda and Songlines, and regularly leads bands featuring musicians including Ravi Coltrane, Tony Malaby, Chris Lightcap, Mark Ferber, Josh Roseman, Oscar Noriega, Stephanie Richards, Michael Attias, Dezron Douglas, Tom Rainey, Alex Cline, Nels Cline, Tyshawn Sorey, Ralph Alessi, Todd Sickafoose, Kris Davis and Ches Smith. Nate Chinen of The New York Times called him “a sharp pianist and a broadly imaginative conceptualist and composer.”
Barbès offers a compact, warmly worn space where the music feels immediate and close, with a long wooden bar and a back room under a scarlet ceiling that hosts nightly performances. The venue champions a broad spectrum of global sounds, from Balkan brass and klezmer to Afrobeat and experimental jazz, often featuring residencies like the Slavic Soul Party. The audience gathers around small tables or at the bar, sharing drinks crafted with a nod to French spirits, while the music invites attentive listening rather than loud conversation. Shows usually have a suggested donation instead of a cover charge, creating a welcoming environment where the focus is on the artists. The venue’s commitment to accessibility and its role in Brooklyn’s cultural fabric make it a distinctive spot for an evening of richly diverse live music.