ÂME - CHET DOXAS - LEIGHTON HARRELL - TOMAS FUJIWARA
ÂME, CHET DOXAS, LEIGHTON HARRELL, TOMAS FUJIWARA
Close Up154 Orchard St, New York 10002
ÂME makes its Close Up debut as a new collective trio: Chet Doxas on saxophone and clarinet, Leighton Harrell on bass, and Tomas Fujiwara on drums. The group has spent the past year developing its shared sound in Doxas’ studio, approaching the trio as a space for composition, improvisation, orchestration, and close interplay. Its name comes from the French word for “soul,” and the music draws on a wide field of references, from Duke Ellington to dub, as the three players test the expressive range of this lean formation.
The trio brings together musicians with distinct roots and established individual practices. Doxas is a Montreal-born saxophonist and composer; Harrell is a bassist and composer from Raleigh, North Carolina; and Fujiwara is a Brooklyn-based drummer, composer, and bandleader. The listing presents ÂME as a collective built from their experience as composers and improvisers, rather than a leader-led project, with their shared curiosity shaping the music as it develops. This is the first Close Up appearance for the group.
Close Up offers a focused jazz experience in a sleek, minimalist space on Manhattan's Lower East Side, where the sound system and acoustics bring every note into sharp relief. The venue features a small back room that invites close connection with the performers, creating a setting where music is the main event and distractions are minimal. Shows run six nights a week with multiple sets, encouraging a deep dive into the music rather than a casual night out. A bar serves Latin American-inspired bites and cocktails, complementing the listening experience without overwhelming it. The crowd tends to be attentive, drawn by the artist-driven programming that blends classic jazz traditions with fresh, innovative sounds. This is a place to settle in, listen closely, and savor the evolving jazz scene in a refined yet approachable environment.