The Wayne Escoffery & Jimmy Greene Quintet Featuring Buster Williams & Lenny White
Tenor Titans!
Smoke Jazz Club2751 Broadway, New York 10025
Wayne Escoffery and Jimmy Greene lead this tenor-saxophone quintet with pianist David Kikoski, bassist Buster Williams and drummer Lenny White. The two saxophonists, whose musical connection reaches back to studying with Jackie McLean, bring their distinct voices to hard-swinging modern jazz.
Escoffery has performed and recorded with Tom Harrell, the Mingus Big Band, Eric Reed and Herbie Hancock; Greene's collaborators include Ron Carter, Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Harrell and Kenny Barron. Jazzwise called Escoffery's sound a personal contemporary mix of Coltrane, Shorter and Henderson influences, adding that his technique is superb. Harrell calls Greene "phenomenal," praising his creative imagination, feeling, and big, warm tone.
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.