Corey King live w/Matthew Stevens, Michael LaValle, Eric Doob
Nublu 151151 Avenue C, New York 10009
Corey King brings a live set to Nublu 151 with Matthew Stevens, Michael LaValle and Eric Doob. The billing identifies King as the lead artist and confirms the three accompanying musicians, while leaving their individual roles and the set's specific format unstated. Expect the focus to be on King's songs, voice and trombone within a full live-band setting.
Based between Berlin and Seattle, King is a songwriter, singer and trombonist whose work brings together songwriting, vocals and instrumental playing. AllMusic describes his sound as an "atmospheric blend of jazz, soul, indie rock, and electronic influences." His collaborators and musical associates include Milton Nascimento, Gil Scott-Heron, Bonobo, Dr. Lonnie Smith, DJ Premier, Glen Hansard, Mos Def, Bilal, Takuya Kuroda and Esperanza Spalding; he co-produced Spalding's Grammy-winning Songwrights Apothecary Lab. Reviewing Change the Wind, kulturnews called it "a convincing work between solid and sophisticated," highlighting soul and jazz currents, understated vocals and subtle electronic effects. His album A Loveless Sunken Sun also drew acclaim from BBC Radio 6 and favorable notices from Hypebeast, Okayplayer, Brooklyn Vegan and Complex.
A second-floor club in the East Village, Nublu 151 is a compact space with a center stage and a balcony that overlooks the performers. The room is dark and grungy with solid acoustics and a disco ball, mostly standing room with a few stools that disappear quickly. The atmosphere is intimate and focused on music, with live sets and DJs spanning jazz, funk, Latin grooves, electronic, and world music. The building's layout supports diverse live performances, and the venue has its own record label. It's a place where musicians gather to play, attracting a crowd of music lovers and creatives. The vibe is laid-back, with a good attitude and openness to different styles going a long way.