Diallo House Sextet
Smalls183 West 10th Street, New York 10014
Diallo House Sextet plays Smalls on Tuesday night in a six-piece configuration led by bassist Diallo House. The listing names Stacy Dillard on tenor sax, Marius Van Den Brink on piano, Andrew Latona on guitar, Ismail Lawal on drums, and Reinaldo De Jesus on percussion alongside House. It is one of two sets by the group that evening, and the later performance is also being streamed live.
House is a bassist, composer, and visual artist from Ithaca, New York, and has been a presence on the New York jazz scene since 2002. He leads House of Sextet and is a co-founder of Brooklyn Circle and Brawlik. The ensemble was formed in 2006 and has appeared in more than one configuration: past descriptions call it a sextet, while Smalls video listings have documented a larger version with percussion. Smalls says House “knows the true role of the bass,” a succinct description of the bandleader at the foundation of this working group.
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.