Ricky Rodriguez Quartet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Ricky Rodriguez brings his quartet to Smalls for two sets, leading a bass, tenor saxophone, piano and drums lineup. Rodriguez is joined by John Ellis on tenor saxophone, Aaron Goldberg on piano and Jimmy Macbride on drums. The music will also be streamed live from the club, placing this working quartet in Smalls' close-listening basement room.
Rodriguez is presented here as the band's bassist and leader, with a group built around four established voices in modern jazz. Ellis takes the tenor chair, Goldberg handles piano, and Macbride plays drums; the listing gives no further details about the repertoire, Rodriguez's background, or the quartet's history. What it does establish is a focused small-group setting: bass at the core, with saxophone, piano and drums shaping the conversation around it.
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.