REGINALD CHAPMAN'S CHAPHOUSE
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Reginald Chapman’s Chaphouse brings its eight-piece Brooklyn ensemble to Barbès for a late set led by Chapman on trombone. The group also features Ryan Easter on trumpet, Lomar Brown on alto sax, Victor Solano on tenor sax, I’vré Cooper on trombone, Roella Oloro on keys, Ben Ferrell on bass, and Curtis McPhatter on drums. Expect layered horn arrangements opening into collective improvisation, with original material and reimagined songs treated as flexible frameworks. Melodies circulate through the band, and solos grow from the groove and the onstage conversation.
Chapman is a trombonist and composer now based in Brooklyn, by way of Richmond, Virginia, and Champaign, Illinois. His work joins jazz tradition with hip-hop production, gospel harmony, experimental electronic music, and brass-band energy; he holds a doctorate in jazz with a cognate in modern classical composition. Beyond Chaphouse, he has worked with Foxygen, The Mountain Goats, No BS Brass, Lucky Chops, and Butcher Brown, and has Broadway credits including Hadestown. His albums Prototype and Accretion received four-star reviews from DownBeat, which noted a blend of New Orleans second-line jazz lineage and 1970s funk-inspired grooves. Chaphouse places that range in a brass-forward ensemble built around composition, rhythm, and responsive group playing.
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.