REGINALD CHAPMAN'S CHAPHOUSE
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Reginald Chapman’s Chaphouse brings its Brooklyn-based octet to Barbès for a set built around layered horn writing, collective improvisation, originals and reimagined songs. Chapman plays trombone alongside Ryan Easter on trumpet, Lomar Brown on alto sax, Victor Solano on tenor sax, I’vré Cooper on trombone, Roella Oloro on keys, Ben Ferrell on bass, and Curtis McPhatter on drums. The group’s melodies circulate through the band, with solos emerging from the rhythmic pocket and each performance shaped by the conversation onstage.
Now based in Brooklyn, Chapman came by way of Richmond, Virginia, and Champaign, Illinois. A trombonist and composer with a doctorate in jazz and a cognate in modern classical composition, he works where jazz tradition meets hip-hop production, gospel harmony, experimental electronic music and brass-band energy. Chaphouse is the ensemble at the center of that work, preserving classics while engaging present-day sounds and leaving room for the music to change course in real time. A past description called Chapman an increasingly beloved “musician’s musician,” noting his following among respected peers, refined jazz listeners and beat-heads alike.
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.