Paul Nedzela
Zinc Bar82 West 3rd Street, New York 10012
Paul Nedzela is the billed performer at Zinc Bar on November 2. The listing does not name accompanying musicians or specify a formation, repertoire, guest, tribute, release, or other special theme for the engagement. What it does establish is a night focused on Nedzela’s own appearance, with seating available during the performances in the Manhattan club’s close-listening setting.
Born and raised in New York City, Nedzela is a saxophonist and a current member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, where he holds the baritone saxophone chair. His résumé reaches across major jazz bandstands and ensembles: he has played with Ruben Blades, Bill Charlap, Chick Corea, Paquito D’Rivera, Kenny Garrett, Benny Golson, the Mingus Big Band, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Dianne Reeves, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Wayne Shorter, Frank Sinatra Jr., and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. He released his debut album, Introducing Paul Nedzela, in 2019, and has appeared at festivals including Monterey, Newport, Detroit, Montreal, Umbria, Valencia, and Banff. His studies included work with baritone saxophonists Joe Temperley, Gary Smulyan, and Roger Rosenberg, followed by a Master of Music from Juilliard.
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.