AQUARIUM SOLARIUM
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Aquarium Solarium, Jason Loughlin’s new original project, comes to Barbès with a quartet set built around Latin music, Exotica, 1950s Hollywood film scores and surf. Loughlin leads the group with Tom Beckham on vibraphone, Dave Speranza on bass and Dan Rieser on drums. Expect those reference points to meet in original material rather than a tribute or repertory program.
The available information identifies Aquarium Solarium as a project by Jason Loughlin, but offers no further biography, hometown, recording history or critical reception for the group or its members. What is clear is the band’s instrumental makeup: vibraphone, bass and drums join Loughlin in a setting designed to draw together Latin rhythms, Exotica’s stylized color, the dramatic sweep of midcentury Hollywood scores and surf’s guitar-rooted sensibility.
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.