Eric Alexander Quartet featuring Cyrus Chestnut “Fifth Quadrant” Record Release
Smoke Jazz Club2751 Broadway, New York 10025
Eric Alexander brings his quartet to Smoke Jazz Club for the release of Fifth Quadrant, with pianist Cyrus Chestnut featured in the band. The billed format is a saxophone and piano-led quartet, though the other musicians for this date have not been announced in the available information. This is a record-release set built around Alexander and Chestnut’s long-running musical connection.
New York-based tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander first drew attention in Chicago before moving to New York, and has become a leading voice in bop-rooted jazz. He has worked with Pat Martino, McCoy Tyner and Jimmy Cobb, and is a continuing member of the sextet One for All. A venue biography hears a “warm, finely burnished tone” and “robust melodic and harmonic imagination” in his playing; All About Jazz has called him “one of the jazz world’s foremost tenor saxophonists.” Baltimore-bred pianist Cyrus Chestnut previously joined Alexander in the Keystone Quartet on A Love Story, alongside George Mraz and Lewis Nash. On that recording, JazzTimes found Chestnut brought “pure romance and beauty” to “Laura,” while AllMusic described Alexander and Chestnut as “out in front.”
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.