Jochen Rueckert Quartet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Jochen Rueckert brings his quartet to Smalls with Rueckert on drums, Alexandra Ridout on trumpet, Kevin Sun on tenor saxophone, and Hamish Smith on bass. The group is a new four-piece built around Rueckert’s original compositions, with some glimpses of jazz history in its repertoire. Its debut album, How to Survive a Beheading, is announced for release later that month, making this a chance to hear the band’s current book in the club. The performance will also be streamed live.
German-born and New York-based, Rueckert is a jazz drummer, composer, and bandleader who has led quartets for years. He is known for work with the trios of Melissa Aldana and Fred Hersch, the Kurt Rosenwinkel New Quartet, Seamus Blake and Chris Cheek’s “Reeds Ramble,” Nils Wogram’s Root 70, and Marc Copland’s trio. His earlier quartet, featuring Mark Turner, Lage Lund, and Matt Penman, toured internationally for more than 15 years. This newer band has been described as “a band of standout young musicians,” bringing Ridout, Sun, and Smith into a setting focused on Rueckert’s writing.
Smalls is a basement jazz club where the music feels immediate and unfiltered, with the stage just a few feet from the audience. The room is compact, with simple seating that encourages close listening, and a bar that serves drinks but no full kitchen, so the focus stays on the performances. Shows typically feature multiple sets, often extending late into the night with jam sessions that invite spontaneous creativity. The club’s walls are adorned with photos and memorabilia that reflect its deep roots in New York’s jazz scene. The audience is there to listen intently, creating a shared experience where every note can be savored. Expect an evening where the energy of live jazz is palpable and the musicians’ passion fills the intimate space.