THE ANDY STATMAN TRIO
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Andy Statman brings his trio to Barbès, with Larry Eagle on drums, Jim Whitney on bass, and Statman playing clarinet and mandolin. The set draws from the musical paths named in the listing: Hasidic melodies, folk tunes from both old and new worlds, and free improvisation informed by Albert Ayler. It is a three-way meeting of melody, rhythm, and open-ended playing, framed by Statman’s ongoing search for the sacred through tradition and introspection.
Statman began in the 1970s as a virtuoso mandolinist, studying and performing with David Grisman before studying clarinet with the legendary Dave Tarras. He became one of the main architects of the klezmer revival that began 30 years ago, a movement the listing credits with influencing folk, jazz, and improvised music. His work brings together sources that are often treated separately: Hasidic repertoire and folk material alongside the searching, Ayler-inspired edge of free improv. That combination gives the trio’s music a clear lineage while leaving room for discovery in the moment.
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.