Billy Hart Quartet
Smoke Jazz Club2751 Broadway, New York 10025
Billy Hart brings his long-running quartet to Smoke Jazz Club for an evening led by the drummer. The Smoke dates feature Hart with Mark Turner on tenor saxophone, Ethan Iverson on piano, and Ben Street on bass: a four-player band whose repertory draws on the jazz tradition while leaving room for spontaneous interplay. Hart is described by the club as an NEA Jazz Master with a “singular blend of rhythmic imagination, sensitivity, and fearless creativity.”
Born in Washington, D.C., Hart has built a career alongside an unusually broad circle of musicians, including Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Shirley Horn, Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery, Otis Redding, and Sam & Dave. His quartet, formed in 2003, has earned recognition as “one of the leading bands in jazz,” according to The New York Times. Reviewing the group’s One Is the Other, The Guardian called it a “beautifully crafted album,” hearing both spontaneity and references that reach across the jazz tradition. A review of Just similarly singled out the quartet’s “moments of brilliance” and its collective artistry.
Smoke Jazz Club offers a refined evening where jazz takes center stage in a space defined by its candlelit tables, plush red velvet curtains, exposed brick walls, and antique chandeliers. The club spans two connected rooms: one designed for focused listening with impeccable acoustics and iconic jazz photography, and a second lounge featuring a historic full-length bar and café seating. Guests can enjoy classic American cuisine during the first set, which begins at 7pm, creating a supper club experience that blends dining with world-class performances. The venue showcases a mix of legendary artists, contemporary masters, and emerging talents, making each night a unique encounter with jazz artistry. The recent expansion has enhanced comfort without losing the close proximity to the stage that defines the club’s appeal.