EarRegulars
The Ear Inn326 Spring Street, New York 10013
EarRegulars bring Jon-Erik Kellso on trumpet and Matt Munisteri on guitar to The Ear Inn, with guest artists joining them as they do each week. The particular guests for this date have not been announced. Expect classic jazz treated as a living repertoire, ranging from New Orleans material and Tin Pan Alley songs to swing-era and mainstream jazz. Rather than building the set around extended individual showcases, the group lets tunes unfold through ensemble improvisation: songs can stretch beyond 10 minutes, but the focus is a conversational exchange among the players. Their stated approach is open-minded and responsive to the moment.
Founded in 2007, EarRegulars are Kellso and Munisteri’s New York jazz ensemble, known above all for their long-running Sunday residency at The Ear Inn and a changing cast of guests. Their music draws on traditional jazz without treating it as museum material. The New York Sun called the band “so effectively played, so aggressive, and so full of ideas and spirit” that it resists being “pigeonhole[d] into a specific subgenre.” Nate Chinen of The New York Times heard music “regarded as old-fashioned even 60 years ago,” while finding that “the clarity of their enthusiasm and the caliber of their execution add up to a present-tense transaction.” Kellso has performed and recorded with Wynton Marsalis, Catherine Russell, Linda Ronstadt, Leon Redbone and Ken Peplowski.
The Ear Inn offers a unique evening where live music fills a room that feels like stepping into a storied Lower Manhattan bar with a rich past. The space features a bar and a dinner menu, inviting guests to enjoy food and drinks while listening. Shows often run late into the night, with sets starting around 11 PM and continuing until 2 AM, creating a relaxed yet focused listening environment where the music takes center attention. The venue hosts a range of artists, from roots blues to jazz, with performances that feel personal and engaging, drawing you close to the musicians. The room’s walls and layout reflect its long history, making it a place where the past and present of New York’s music scene meet. Expect an evening of attentive listening, good company, and a well-curated musical experience.