ALEXANDRA RIDOUT - Jules Gardner - Thorbjorn Stefansson - Kayvon Gordon - Set and Session
Close Up154 Orchard St, New York 10002
Trumpeter Alexandra Ridout leads a quartet with saxophonist Jules Gardner, bassist Thorbjorn Stefansson and drummer Kayvon Gordon for the closing night of her late-night residency. The evening begins with a set by the group, followed by a jam session.
Originally from the UK and now based in New York, Ridout won the BBC Young Musician Jazz Award in 2016 and the British Jazz Awards Rising Star award in 2018. Her work has included touring with Samara Joy’s Octet and ARTEMIS, and performing with Dave Douglas, Melissa Aldana and Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. Douglas has praised her “odd ideas of interval and phrasing” and the way she makes them “flow effortlessly.”
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.