Tsutomu Nakai
Zinc Bar82 West 3rd Street, New York 10012
Tsutomu Nakai leads a guitar quartet at Zinc Bar, joined by pianist Toru Dodo, bassist Paul Sikivie, and drummer Dwayne Cook Broadnax. The group brings Nakai’s melodic improvising to a full-band setting, with guitar, piano, bass, and drums sharing the night’s jazz repertoire. Nakai is the billed leader, and the evening presents his music through the interplay of an established working rhythm section and piano.
A New York City-based jazz guitarist who also performs in Japan, Nakai is known for a beautiful, versatile sound and melodic improvisations. He cites Jim Hall as an inspiration and was mentored by Gene Bertoncini, placing his playing in a lineage of guitar-focused modern jazz while retaining what the venue calls a fresh, distinctive style. His albums include G’s Wish, which features Mark Turner, and Starry Night. Nakai has collaborated with Lonnie Plaxico, Sullivan Fortner, and Peter Bernstein, and has contributed original compositions to the Future Brain Lab project. The venue credits his recordings with an ability to evoke deep emotion through music.
Zinc Bar offers a richly textured experience where the past and present of jazz converge in a single, dimly lit room adorned with Art Deco details like velvet upholstery, polished brass, and a Parisian zinc bar. The venue’s layout centers around a close-up stage and a vintage bar, creating a setting where the music is both the focus and a shared journey. Patrons can expect expertly crafted cocktails alongside performances that range from world-class jazz to vibrant Brazilian and African rhythms, often featuring multiple sets and occasional late-night jams. The seating is lounge-style, encouraging attentive listening rather than casual chatter, making it a place to immerse fully in the sound. This is a space where history lingers, once hosting legends like Billie Holiday and Thelonious Monk, now continuing their legacy with a sophisticated yet welcoming vibe.