Kevin Hays Quartet w. Ben Wendel
Jazzcultural347 West 46th Street, New York 10036
Kevin Hays brings his quartet to Jazzcultural with guest Ben Wendel, joining Hays on piano, Wendel on tenor saxophone, Rick Rosato on bass, and Terri Lyne Carrington on drums. The Sunday engagement is presented as two sets and will also be streamed live, putting this particular Hays and Wendel collaboration in a full quartet setting rather than the duo format documented elsewhere.
Hays is a Grammy Award winning pianist and composer whose recordings have been called critically acclaimed by The New York Times, DownBeat, and JazzTimes. His collaborators include Chris Potter, Bill Stewart, Joshua Redman, Jeff Ballard, Nicholas Payton, and Al Foster; he has also toured with James Taylor, Sonny Rollins, John Scofield, Joe Henderson, and Roy Haynes. Wendel, a saxophonist and composer born in Vancouver and raised in Los Angeles, has performed original compositions and jazz standards with Hays. Their duo work includes Hays's Live at The Stone vinyl, which features duet performances with Wendel and others. In a review, Marlbank described Wendel's solo on “Remember Me” as “incredibly tender.”
Jazzcultural offers a distinctive live music experience in Manhattan, housed in a space that invites close connection between performers and audience. The venue features a modestly sized room where the sound carries clearly, allowing even those at the back to catch the nuances of each set. Seating is available but limited, encouraging an attentive listening environment without the distraction of a bustling bar scene. The venue operates with ticketed shows, often featuring multiple sets that stretch into the late evening, giving you a full night of music. While there is a bar, the focus remains on the performances, making it a place to immerse yourself in the artistry of jazz. The neighborhood adds a quiet charm, making the walk to and from the venue part of the evening’s rhythm.