Jon Gordon Quartet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Jon Gordon brings his quartet to Smalls for two sets, with Gordon on alto saxophone, Adam Birnbaum on piano, Marcos Varela on bass and E.J. Strickland on drums.
The New York-born saxophonist and composer won the 1996 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. He has worked with T.S. Monk’s Monk on Monk and performed with Roy Eldridge, Red Rodney, Barney Kessel and Al Grey. Gordon describes his writing as fresh and modern without losing melody; Ira Gitler called his music “solidly grounded” but adventurous.
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.