Hello Friends:


I wanted to mention the jam sessions that take place in the course of a week at Smalls Jazz Club.  As a product of the jam session myself,  I can attest that it's a valuable resource for musicians who want to cut their teeth and learn to play.  It's also a way for senior musicians to meet younger ones and to branch out.  It's a way to share ideas and to see who's who on the current scene.  Smalls has a variety of jam sessions, each with a different flavor and clique of cats.  All are worth checking out.  On Monday we've had Spencer Murphy for nearly 6 years follow Ari Hoenig and present a dynamic jam session of mostly younger, modern thinking musicians.  This is a really successful session and starts around 1AM every Monday.  On Tuesday have Kyle Poole running his "next generation" session.  This is a mostly under 25 year old crow - New School students.  It's energetic and enthusiastic and also starts around 1AM.  On Wednesday from 6PM to 9PM we have the amazing Michela Lerman.  Michela is a master tap-dancer and runs a weekly tap dance jam session.  The tap dance community comes of for this show.  It's a blast to watch and musicians are welcome to participate as well.  Starting this week we will be having open afternoon jam sessions on Friday and Saturday afternoon from 4PM to 7PM.  They will be hosted by a variety of musicians including Sam Raderman, Pasquale Grass and others.  The nature of these sessions are to foster real playing and are open to musicians of any level.  We also have really late sessions on the weekends - starting generally around 2AM and going to 4AM.  These are for the battle-hardened warriors of the scene.  If you can stay up late enough they are well worth it.  Smalls Jazz Club is dedicated to the jam session idea and believes firmly that it fosters positive growth in the musical community.  So, grab your horn and come out to one of our sessions!

This Week At Smalls:

Monday - We begin our week with a duet show from the Zeleski Brothers, Glen & Mark.  Glen has been a visible presence at Smalls over the last year but his brother Mark doesn't get a chance to be heard here too often.  He's a really creative horn player and the two brothers have a natural simpatico.  Following them is the amazing Joel Frahm and his trio with the Israeli bass virtuoso Omer Avital and the highly-underated Joe Strasser on drums.  Joel is a perrenial favorite at Smalls and an original improvisor of great wit and skill.  Come out for this wonderful double-header.  Also, please be sure to check out the Joel Frahm interview on our SmallsLIVE Interview Blog conducted by Spencer Murphy - CLICK HERE

Tuesday - I'll be opening up the evening at 7:30 with my own drum-less trio with Yotam Silberstein on guitar and Paul Gill on bass.  We're developing some new material for our first European tour this November.  Following us at 10:00 PM is the amazing Smalls Legacy Band which feature Frank Lacy, Josh Evans, Theo Hill & Stacy Dillard.  We've just recorded this group for the SmallsLIVE label and should be releasing it in the next few weeks.  It's a dynamic and hard swinging little big-band.  Please come check them out if you haven't yet.

Wednesday & Thursday - I'm really psyched to present one (in my opinion) of the best pianists on the scene - Danny Grissett, in both trio (Wednesday) & quartet (Thursday) settings.  Danny's been quietly racking up sideman credits over the years with the likes of Tom Harrell and others and plays in a super-tasty modern style.  His rhythm sections features Joe Martin on bass and Jonathan Barber on drums.  On Thursday their joined by the amazing Jaleel Shaw on alto saxophone.  Please come out to hear Danny lead his own groups.  Our "Round Midnight" concert on Wednesday features the young tenor player Adam Larson and his group.  Adam is a robust and adventurous improvisor with a modern concept and original music.  Come out and discover this musician if you haven't already heard him.  This Thursday at 6:30 PM we will be starting a new series "The Early Bird" which will focus on players who play in a pure bebop tradition.  Our featured artist will be the great Dwayne Clemons and his quintet which includes Josh Benko on baritone, the amazing Sacha Perry on piano, Murray Wall on bass & the legendary Jimmy Wormworth on drums.  This is an early show and some great music.  Come by after work and have a cocktail.

Friday & Saturday -  We have some amazing tenor saxophone coming!  This weekend for the 10:30 PM show, we're always happy to have the wonderful Harry Allen back with his great quartet.  Harry plays in a traditional and lyrical style ala Getz but he's his own man.  This band is all taste and swing and features the truly amazing Rossano Sportiello on piano, Joel Forbes on bass and Kevin Kanner on drums.  Our 7:30 PM show on Friday presents guitarist Bob DeVos and his quartet with the tenor virtuoso Ralph Bowen, Dan Kostelnik on organ and Steve Johns playing drums.  On Saturday tenor saxophone legend David Schnitter comes in with his quartet featuring myself (Spike Wilner) on piano, Ugonna Okegwo on bass and Anthony Pinciotti  on drums.  David is an amazing composer and jazz veteran.

Sunday -  is our usual "family" night at Smalls.  Our special show at 7:30 PM features the great Bucky Pizzarelli and the wonderful Ed Laub in a delightful guitar duo.  At 10PM is the phenomenal Johnny O'Neal & Trio and finally "Round Midnight" with the brilliant young trumpet player Bruce Harris.

As always, I appreciate your support of our humble club.  Please check out our live stream every night of the week on our website - www.smallsjazzclub.com - for a $5 monthly subscription you can watch every show from the comfort of your home.  However, I sincerely hope to see you in person at the club.  My best wishes to you and your endeavors during the course of the week.