Charles McPherson Quintet featuring Terell Stafford
Smoke Jazz Club2751 Broadway, New York 10025
Charles McPherson brings his quintet to Smoke Jazz Club, with trumpeter Terell Stafford featured alongside the alto saxophonist. The night presents McPherson's hard swinging small group approach, rooted in the bebop language he has carried through a long career. This is a chance to hear a veteran bandleader and a prominently billed guest in a quintet setting.
Born in Joplin, Missouri, and raised in Detroit, McPherson studied with pianist Barry Harris and became a key musical associate of Charles Mingus, performing with him from 1960 to 1972. He has also recorded as a guest with Art Farmer, Kenny Drew, Toshiko Akiyoshi, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Smoke Sessions calls him a “legendary alto saxophonist,” while NEA Jazz Master Todd Barkan describes his quintet as “one of the best working bands on the scene today.” Reviewing the group's live album Reverence, Daily Vault called it “superb,” noting its “heart, elegance, and fluid virtuosity.”
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.