Charles McPherson Quintet
Charles McPherson, Terell Stafford, Jeb Patton, David Wong, Billy Drummond
Smoke Jazz Club2751 Broadway, New York 10025
Charles McPherson leads a hard-swinging quintet with trumpeter Terell Stafford, pianist Jeb Patton, bassist David Wong and drummer Billy Drummond. The alto saxophonist brings a blues- and bebop-rooted approach to the five-night run.
Born in Joplin, Missouri, and raised in Detroit before moving to New York in 1959, McPherson spent 1960 to 1972 in Charles Mingus’s band and has also performed with artists including Barry Harris, Dizzy Gillespie and Wynton Marsalis. Jazziz wrote that no jazz musician of the past 60 years has more palpably channeled Charlie Parker’s sound; DownBeat praised his writing for joining “the traditional weight of bebop and swing” to “an inventive, contemporary spark.”
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.