Eric Alexander Quartet featuring Cyrus Chestnut “Fifth Quadrant” Record Release
Smoke Jazz Club2751 Broadway, New York 10025
Eric Alexander brings his new quartet to Smoke Jazz Club for the release of Fifth Quadrant, his first album as a leader for Smoke Sessions and the group's first recording. Alexander plays tenor saxophone with featured pianist Cyrus Chestnut, bassist Nat Reeves and drummer Carl Allen. The record pairs Alexander's new compositions with modern classics, with the four musicians putting their shared commitment to melody and swing at the heart of the set.
A leading voice in modern jazz since the early 1990s, New York based Alexander is known for a powerful sound, a deep command of the bebop tradition and expressive improvisation. He has performed and recorded with Pat Martino, Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner, George Coleman and Freddie Cole, and worked in the cooperative sextet One for All. All Music Guide calls him “one of the giants of the tenor sax”; All About Jazz hears “one of the more emotive and resourceful improvisers on the scene,” while NPR calls him “one of the finest bebop saxophonists in the world.” His longstanding musical relationships with Chestnut, Reeves and Allen give this quartet a substantial shared history.
Smoke Jazz Club offers a refined evening where jazz takes center stage in a space defined by its candlelit tables, plush red velvet curtains, exposed brick walls, and antique chandeliers. The club spans two connected rooms: one designed for focused listening with impeccable acoustics and iconic jazz photography, and a second lounge featuring a historic full-length bar and café seating. Guests can enjoy classic American cuisine during the first set, which begins at 7pm, creating a supper club experience that blends dining with world-class performances. The venue showcases a mix of legendary artists, contemporary masters, and emerging talents, making each night a unique encounter with jazz artistry. The recent expansion has enhanced comfort without losing the close proximity to the stage that defines the club’s appeal.