Chris Beck Quartet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Chris Beck leads a quartet with Jon Beshay on tenor sax, Victor Gould on piano and Eric Wheeler on bass. After the midnight set, the evening continues with an open jam session welcoming musicians to play.
Philadelphia-born drummer and composer Beck moved to New York in 2006. SmallsLIVE calls his approach a “refreshing and soulful vision,” pairing straight-ahead jazz with influences from his African roots and Gospel upbringing. A hard-swinging drummer and composer, he has collaborated with Cyrus Chestnut, Oliver Lake and Rufus Reid, and shared stages with McCoy Tyner, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, James “Blood” Ulmer and the Mingus Big Band.
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.