Oscar Noriega's CROOKED QUARTET
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Oscar Noriega’s Crooked Quartet brings Noriega’s compositions to Barbès in a quartet setting. The group grew out of his long-running Crooked Trio, a regular presence at the venue for close to a decade, and marks his return to alto saxophone as the focus of this project.
Noriega is a multi-instrumentalist known as a member of Tim Berne’s Snakeoil, Endangered Blood and Boss Tenor. He also co-leads the brass band Banda De Los Muertos with Jacob Garchik. The Crooked Quartet is presented as a vehicle for his own writing; the available information does not establish a fixed personnel lineup for this date beyond Noriega, though past listings have paired the project with different collaborators.
Barbès offers a compact, warmly worn space where the music feels immediate and close, with a long wooden bar and a back room under a scarlet ceiling that hosts nightly performances. The venue champions a broad spectrum of global sounds, from Balkan brass and klezmer to Afrobeat and experimental jazz, often featuring residencies like the Slavic Soul Party. The audience gathers around small tables or at the bar, sharing drinks crafted with a nod to French spirits, while the music invites attentive listening rather than loud conversation. Shows usually have a suggested donation instead of a cover charge, creating a welcoming environment where the focus is on the artists. The venue’s commitment to accessibility and its role in Brooklyn’s cultural fabric make it a distinctive spot for an evening of richly diverse live music.