The Wayne Escoffery & Jimmy Greene Quintet Featuring Buster Williams & Lenny White
Tenor Titans!
Smoke Jazz Club2751 Broadway, New York 10025
Tenor saxophonists Wayne Escoffery and Jimmy Greene lead a quintet with pianist David Kikoski, bassist Buster Williams and drummer Lenny White. The two tenors, whose connection goes back to studying with Jackie McLean, meet in a program built around their distinct approaches to hard-swinging modern jazz.
Escoffery, born in London and raised in New Haven, has performed and recorded with Tom Harrell, the Mingus Big Band, Eric Reed and Herbie Hancock. Jazzwise called his sound “a contemporary mix of Coltrane, Shorter, and Henderson influences, but ... already personal,” adding that “his technique is superb.” Hartford-born Greene has worked with Ron Carter, Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Harrell and Kenny Barron; Harrell calls him “phenomenal,” praising his “creative imagination and beautiful feeling.”
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.