Sarah Hanahan Quartet
Zinc Bar82 West 3rd Street, New York 10012
Sarah Hanahan brings her quartet to Zinc Bar for an evening of jazz. The billed group is a quartet led by Hanahan, though the other players for this date have not been announced. Expect a bandstand focused on her alto saxophone playing, with two performances scheduled over the course of the night.
A New York City based alto saxophonist, Hanahan was named to NPR Jazz Night in America’s 30 Under 30 Youngbloods. Her debut album, Among Giants, earned five stars from DownBeat and was among the magazine’s Best Albums of 2024. She has worked with Jeff “Tain” Watts, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jason Moran, Nicholas Payton and the Mingus Big Band. DownBeat’s Veronica Johnson heard “pure fierceness and lyrical conviction” in her work as a session leader, while WBGO’s Greg Bryant calls her sound “both melodic and muscular,” with memorable themes and an intense, driving conviction.
Zinc Bar offers a richly textured experience where the past and present of jazz converge in a single, dimly lit room adorned with Art Deco details like velvet upholstery, polished brass, and a Parisian zinc bar. The venue’s layout centers around a close-up stage and a vintage bar, creating a setting where the music is both the focus and a shared journey. Patrons can expect expertly crafted cocktails alongside performances that range from world-class jazz to vibrant Brazilian and African rhythms, often featuring multiple sets and occasional late-night jams. The seating is lounge-style, encouraging attentive listening rather than casual chatter, making it a place to immerse fully in the sound. This is a space where history lingers, once hosting legends like Billie Holiday and Thelonious Monk, now continuing their legacy with a sophisticated yet welcoming vibe.