Charlie Ballantine Quartet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Charlie Ballantine brings his quartet to Smalls for two sets, with Ballantine on guitar, Zach Lapidus on piano, Quinn Sternberg on bass, and Paul Wells on drums. The group plays in the club’s basement room, where the close quarters put the focus on the interplay between guitar, piano, bass, and drums. It is a full quartet bill rather than a solo feature, with the same band scheduled across both evening sets.
Ballantine is a jazz guitarist whose path to New York began in Indianapolis, his former home base. He has said that after moving to New York he settled in and that “it feels like home.” His experience includes touring with Dave King of The Bad Plus and with Jon Cowherd of Brian Blade’s band, and he has spoken of playing Smalls and Mezzrow with “some amazing players.” Those connections place this date within the working New York jazz circuit Ballantine has made part of his musical life.
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.