Stacy Dillard (saxophone) duo
Cork SoHo69 Thompson Street, New York 10012
Stacy Dillard leads a saxophone duo at Cork SoHo on November 17. The bill identifies Dillard and the two-person format, but does not name his musical partner or give further details about the repertoire. It is a chance to hear a pared-back setting in the bar's small room, with the musicians playing near the long wooden bar and the tables at the back. Cork hosts live jazz performances and presents changing art and photography on its walls.
Raised in Muskegon Heights, Michigan, Dillard is a tenor saxophonist whose work has included Roy Hargrove, Eric Reed and the Mingus Big Band, among many others. He is known as an improviser with a substantial, direct sound: Black Cat describes his tone as “rich” and “commanding.” Pianist Eric Reed called him “a true improviser,” while Hargrove said, “Stacy is a one-of-a-kind musician.” Those descriptions point to what makes a duo setting especially revealing: there is little room to hide the shape of a line, the weight of a tone or the quick decisions that drive an improvisation.
The bar is a small, well-lit room with a long wooden bar and a few tables tucked in the back, where you can sit and watch the musicians. The jazz sets are played every Sunday from 6 to 8 PM, and the musicians are local talents who share a genuine connection with the regulars. The walls are lined with rotating art and photography exhibitions, and there are artist opening nights that add to the experience. It's a place where you come to listen to live music, enjoy a drink, and spend time with friends. The atmosphere is relaxed and conversational, with the music filling the space and the bar serving a selection of wines and cheese boards.