Brandon Lee Quintet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Trumpeter Brandon Lee brings a quintet to Smalls for the night, with Willie Applewhite on trombone, Martha Kato on piano, Clovis Nicolas on bass, and Jimmy Macbride on drums. The group is scheduled for two sets, pairing Lee’s trumpet with a brass front line and piano, bass, and drums. The performance will also be streamed live from the club.
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, in 1983, Lee is a jazz trumpeter and bandleader with deep New York connections. He plays frequently with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Fat Cat Big Band, and Eyal Vilner Big Band. His credits also include work with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Aaron Diehl and Cécile McLorin Salvant, Kurt Elling, and the Kenny Barron Quintet. Lee has appeared at Smalls, Dizzy’s, and the Exit 0 Jazz Festival, among other venues and festivals.
Smalls is a basement jazz club where the music feels immediate and unfiltered, with the stage just a few feet from the audience. The room is compact, with simple seating that encourages close listening, and a bar that serves drinks but no full kitchen, so the focus stays on the performances. Shows typically feature multiple sets, often extending late into the night with jam sessions that invite spontaneous creativity. The club’s walls are adorned with photos and memorabilia that reflect its deep roots in New York’s jazz scene. The audience is there to listen intently, creating a shared experience where every note can be savored. Expect an evening where the energy of live jazz is palpable and the musicians’ passion fills the intimate space.