STEVE LEHMAN TRIO + Craig Taborn
Close Up154 Orchard St, New York 10002
Steve Lehman brings his trio to Close Up with a fourth voice: pianist Craig Taborn. Lehman plays alto saxophone, with Matt Brewer on bass and Damion Reid on drums; Taborn joins them at the piano. The program is presented as two sets, giving this quartet format room to unfold across the evening.
Lehman is a composer, performer, educator and scholar whose work moves across experimental musical idioms. The Guardian called him “one of the transforming figures of early 21st century jazz,” while The New York Times described him as a “state-of-the-art musical thinker.” His music for orchestra and chamber groups has been performed by the American Composers Orchestra, International Contemporary Ensemble, So Percussion, JACK Quartet and PRISM Saxophone Quartet. His recording The People I Love was named among 2019’s top 10 jazz albums by NPR Music, Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times. He has also performed and recorded with leaders including Anthony Braxton, Vijay Iyer, George Lewis, Bennie Maupin, Jason Moran, Meshell Ndegeocello and Tyshawn Sorey.
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.