CHRIS LEWIS - Dan Nimmer - Phillip Norris - Nazir Ebo
Close Up154 Orchard St, New York 10002
Chris Lewis brings a working quartet to Close Up, with Dan Nimmer on piano, Phillip Norris on bass and Nazir Ebo on drums. Lewis plays saxophone in two sets, leading a band drawn from the New York jazz circuit. The billing presents him as both a bandleader and a frequently called sideman, making this a chance to hear his own voice at the front of a compact acoustic group.
A multi-award-winning saxophonist, composer and educator, Lewis is a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. His performing credits span artists including Herbie Hancock, Christian McBride, Michael Bublé, Eric Reed, Terell Stafford and Jeff “Tain” Watts, alongside Julius Rodriguez and Sean Mason. He has also appeared with the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Mingus Big Band, Count Basie Orchestra, John Beasley’s MONK’estra and the Gil Evans Project. At 30, he had appeared on more than 30 recordings, while his screen work includes The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Godfather of Harlem and The Gilded Age. Lewis also teaches at Temple University, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Summer Jazz Academy and the Litchfield Jazz Camp.
Close Up offers a focused jazz experience in a sleek, minimalist space on Manhattan's Lower East Side, where the sound system and acoustics bring every note into sharp relief. The venue features a small back room that invites close connection with the performers, creating a setting where music is the main event and distractions are minimal. Shows run six nights a week with multiple sets, encouraging a deep dive into the music rather than a casual night out. A bar serves Latin American-inspired bites and cocktails, complementing the listening experience without overwhelming it. The crowd tends to be attentive, drawn by the artist-driven programming that blends classic jazz traditions with fresh, innovative sounds. This is a place to settle in, listen closely, and savor the evolving jazz scene in a refined yet approachable environment.