*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Jane Monheit – vocals Michael Kanan – piano Neal Miner – bass Rick Montalbano – drums “A voice of phenomenal beauty.” – The New York Times Beloved vocalist Jane Monheit, celebrated for her deep passion for the Great American Songbook, has been at the forefront of jazz singing since she emerged over 20 years ago to wide acclaim. During the ensuing years, she has collaborated with some of the greatest musicians, arrangers, and producers in jazz, including Tommy Flanagan, Ron Carter, Kenny Barron, Terence Blanchard, John Pizzarelli, Christian McBride, and many more. All About Jazz writes, “Monheit has great chops, a terrific voice,” while Downbeat adds, “Monheit continues to dazzle.” Her stellar backing trio includes pianist Michael Kanan, bassist Neal Miner, and drummer Rick Montalbano. All About Jazz praises her “great chops” and “terrific voice,” while DownBeat declares, “Monheit continues to dazzle.” She appears with her outstanding trio: pianist Michael Kanan, bassist Neal Miner, and drummer Rick Mantalbano—musicians who match her artistry with sensitivity and swing. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Jane Monheit – vocals Michael Kanan – piano Neal Miner – bass Rick Montalbano – drums “A voice of phenomenal beauty.” – The New York Times Beloved vocalist Jane Monheit, celebrated for her deep passion for the Great American Songbook, has been at the forefront of jazz singing since she emerged over 20 years ago to wide acclaim. During the ensuing years, she has collaborated with some of the greatest musicians, arrangers, and producers in jazz, including Tommy Flanagan, Ron Carter, Kenny Barron, Terence Blanchard, John Pizzarelli, Christian McBride, and many more. All About Jazz writes, “Monheit has great chops, a terrific voice,” while Downbeat adds, “Monheit continues to dazzle.” Her stellar backing trio includes pianist Michael Kanan, bassist Neal Miner, and drummer Rick Montalbano. All About Jazz praises her “great chops” and “terrific voice,” while DownBeat declares, “Monheit continues to dazzle.” She appears with her outstanding trio: pianist Michael Kanan, bassist Neal Miner, and drummer Rick Mantalbano—musicians who match her artistry with sensitivity and swing. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Jane Monheit – vocals Michael Kanan – piano Neal Miner – bass Rick Montalbano – drums “A voice of phenomenal beauty.” – The New York Times Beloved vocalist Jane Monheit, celebrated for her deep passion for the Great American Songbook, has been at the forefront of jazz singing since she emerged over 20 years ago to wide acclaim. During the ensuing years, she has collaborated with some of the greatest musicians, arrangers, and producers in jazz, including Tommy Flanagan, Ron Carter, Kenny Barron, Terence Blanchard, John Pizzarelli, Christian McBride, and many more. All About Jazz writes, “Monheit has great chops, a terrific voice,” while Downbeat adds, “Monheit continues to dazzle.” Her stellar backing trio includes pianist Michael Kanan, bassist Neal Miner, and drummer Rick Montalbano. All About Jazz praises her “great chops” and “terrific voice,” while DownBeat declares, “Monheit continues to dazzle.” She appears with her outstanding trio: pianist Michael Kanan, bassist Neal Miner, and drummer Rick Mantalbano—musicians who match her artistry with sensitivity and swing. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Jane Monheit – vocals Michael Kanan – piano Neal Miner – bass Rick Montalbano – drums “A voice of phenomenal beauty.” – The New York Times Beloved vocalist Jane Monheit, celebrated for her deep passion for the Great American Songbook, has been at the forefront of jazz singing since she emerged over 20 years ago to wide acclaim. During the ensuing years, she has collaborated with some of the greatest musicians, arrangers, and producers in jazz, including Tommy Flanagan, Ron Carter, Kenny Barron, Terence Blanchard, John Pizzarelli, Christian McBride, and many more. All About Jazz writes, “Monheit has great chops, a terrific voice,” while Downbeat adds, “Monheit continues to dazzle.” Her stellar backing trio includes pianist Michael Kanan, bassist Neal Miner, and drummer Rick Montalbano. All About Jazz praises her “great chops” and “terrific voice,” while DownBeat declares, “Monheit continues to dazzle.” She appears with her outstanding trio: pianist Michael Kanan, bassist Neal Miner, and drummer Rick Mantalbano—musicians who match her artistry with sensitivity and swing. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Jane Monheit – vocals Michael Kanan – piano Neal Miner – bass Rick Montalbano – drums “A voice of phenomenal beauty.” – The New York Times Beloved vocalist Jane Monheit, celebrated for her deep passion for the Great American Songbook, has been at the forefront of jazz singing since she emerged over 20 years ago to wide acclaim. During the ensuing years, she has collaborated with some of the greatest musicians, arrangers, and producers in jazz, including Tommy Flanagan, Ron Carter, Kenny Barron, Terence Blanchard, John Pizzarelli, Christian McBride, and many more. All About Jazz writes, “Monheit has great chops, a terrific voice,” while Downbeat adds, “Monheit continues to dazzle.” Her stellar backing trio includes pianist Michael Kanan, bassist Neal Miner, and drummer Rick Montalbano. All About Jazz praises her “great chops” and “terrific voice,” while DownBeat declares, “Monheit continues to dazzle.” She appears with her outstanding trio: pianist Michael Kanan, bassist Neal Miner, and drummer Rick Mantalbano—musicians who match her artistry with sensitivity and swing. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Jon Faddis – trumpet David Hazeltine – piano Todd Coolman – bass Dion Parson – drums “A complete musician with an awesome range, a beautiful tone, and an intelligence that makes every solo a model of clarity and emotion.” – DownBeat Magazine Trumpeter Jon Faddis leads an exciting, hard-swinging quartet with pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Todd Coolman, and drummer Dion Parson. Long celebrated for his incredible musicality and technical prowess, Faddis is in the pantheon of the greatest trumpeters in jazz history. Mentored by Dizzy Gillespie early in his career, Faddis absorbed the styles of many of the great trumpeters, forging his own distinctive style and having a similar enduring influence. “Faddis is a trumpet player of prodigious lyrical force,” reports the Chicago Tribune. At the same time, The Guardian adds, “His sheer power and command are astonishing—Faddis takes trumpet playing to an entirely new level.” 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Jon Faddis – trumpet David Hazeltine – piano Todd Coolman – bass Dion Parson – drums “A complete musician with an awesome range, a beautiful tone, and an intelligence that makes every solo a model of clarity and emotion.” – DownBeat Magazine Trumpeter Jon Faddis leads an exciting, hard-swinging quartet with pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Todd Coolman, and drummer Dion Parson. Long celebrated for his incredible musicality and technical prowess, Faddis is in the pantheon of the greatest trumpeters in jazz history. Mentored by Dizzy Gillespie early in his career, Faddis absorbed the styles of many of the great trumpeters, forging his own distinctive style and having a similar enduring influence. “Faddis is a trumpet player of prodigious lyrical force,” reports the Chicago Tribune. At the same time, The Guardian adds, “His sheer power and command are astonishing—Faddis takes trumpet playing to an entirely new level.” 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Jon Faddis – trumpet David Hazeltine – piano Todd Coolman – bass Dion Parson – drums “A complete musician with an awesome range, a beautiful tone, and an intelligence that makes every solo a model of clarity and emotion.” – DownBeat Magazine Trumpeter Jon Faddis leads an exciting, hard-swinging quartet with pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Todd Coolman, and drummer Dion Parson. Long celebrated for his incredible musicality and technical prowess, Faddis is in the pantheon of the greatest trumpeters in jazz history. Mentored by Dizzy Gillespie early in his career, Faddis absorbed the styles of many of the great trumpeters, forging his own distinctive style and having a similar enduring influence. “Faddis is a trumpet player of prodigious lyrical force,” reports the Chicago Tribune. At the same time, The Guardian adds, “His sheer power and command are astonishing—Faddis takes trumpet playing to an entirely new level.” 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Jon Faddis – trumpet David Hazeltine – piano Todd Coolman – bass Dion Parson – drums “A complete musician with an awesome range, a beautiful tone, and an intelligence that makes every solo a model of clarity and emotion.” – DownBeat Magazine Trumpeter Jon Faddis leads an exciting, hard-swinging quartet with pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Todd Coolman, and drummer Dion Parson. Long celebrated for his incredible musicality and technical prowess, Faddis is in the pantheon of the greatest trumpeters in jazz history. Mentored by Dizzy Gillespie early in his career, Faddis absorbed the styles of many of the great trumpeters, forging his own distinctive style and having a similar enduring influence. “Faddis is a trumpet player of prodigious lyrical force,” reports the Chicago Tribune. At the same time, The Guardian adds, “His sheer power and command are astonishing—Faddis takes trumpet playing to an entirely new level.” 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Jon Faddis – trumpet David Hazeltine – piano Todd Coolman – bass Dion Parson – drums “A complete musician with an awesome range, a beautiful tone, and an intelligence that makes every solo a model of clarity and emotion.” – DownBeat Magazine Trumpeter Jon Faddis leads an exciting, hard-swinging quartet with pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Todd Coolman, and drummer Dion Parson. Long celebrated for his incredible musicality and technical prowess, Faddis is in the pantheon of the greatest trumpeters in jazz history. Mentored by Dizzy Gillespie early in his career, Faddis absorbed the styles of many of the great trumpeters, forging his own distinctive style and having a similar enduring influence. “Faddis is a trumpet player of prodigious lyrical force,” reports the Chicago Tribune. At the same time, The Guardian adds, “His sheer power and command are astonishing—Faddis takes trumpet playing to an entirely new level.” 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Steve Turre – trombone & seashells James Carter – tenor saxophone ELEW – piano Peter Washington – bass Herlin Riley – drums “In the company of a sharp quintet featuring the saxophonist James Carter, Turre has the perfect platform to strut his multifarious stuff.” – The New Yorker Steve Turre, the renowned master of the trombone and seashells, leads an incredible all-star quintet featuring special guests James Carter on saxophone and ELEW on piano. Turre’s storied career includes work alongside music legends such as Ray Charles, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and Woody Shaw. A versatile performer and true jazz original, he’s equally at home on everything from swinging classic bop lines to conjuring Rahsaan over a deep groove. Downbeat says, “Few artists ‘own’ their instrument to the degree that trombonist Steve Turre does. Whether playing the music of Rahsaan Roland Kirk, performing as a member of the Saturday Night Live house band, or with one of his own units, his voice is distinctive and memorable.” His special guests take this group to another level. The Washington Post writes, “To hear saxophonist James Carter is to be blown away,” and the Wall Street Journal declares, “ELEW plays with fire, style, and relentless energy.” Finally, an indispensable rhythm section, featuring bassist Peter Washington and drummer Herlin Riley, completes this exciting ensemble. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Steve Turre – trombone & seashells James Carter – tenor saxophone ELEW – piano Peter Washington – bass Herlin Riley – drums “In the company of a sharp quintet featuring the saxophonist James Carter, Turre has the perfect platform to strut his multifarious stuff.” – The New Yorker Steve Turre, the renowned master of the trombone and seashells, leads an incredible all-star quintet featuring special guests James Carter on saxophone and ELEW on piano. Turre’s storied career includes work alongside music legends such as Ray Charles, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and Woody Shaw. A versatile performer and true jazz original, he’s equally at home on everything from swinging classic bop lines to conjuring Rahsaan over a deep groove. Downbeat says, “Few artists ‘own’ their instrument to the degree that trombonist Steve Turre does. Whether playing the music of Rahsaan Roland Kirk, performing as a member of the Saturday Night Live house band, or with one of his own units, his voice is distinctive and memorable.” His special guests take this group to another level. The Washington Post writes, “To hear saxophonist James Carter is to be blown away,” and the Wall Street Journal declares, “ELEW plays with fire, style, and relentless energy.” Finally, an indispensable rhythm section, featuring bassist Peter Washington and drummer Herlin Riley, completes this exciting ensemble. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Steve Turre – trombone & seashells James Carter – tenor saxophone ELEW – piano Peter Washington – bass Herlin Riley – drums “In the company of a sharp quintet featuring the saxophonist James Carter, Turre has the perfect platform to strut his multifarious stuff.” – The New Yorker Steve Turre, the renowned master of the trombone and seashells, leads an incredible all-star quintet featuring special guests James Carter on saxophone and ELEW on piano. Turre’s storied career includes work alongside music legends such as Ray Charles, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and Woody Shaw. A versatile performer and true jazz original, he’s equally at home on everything from swinging classic bop lines to conjuring Rahsaan over a deep groove. Downbeat says, “Few artists ‘own’ their instrument to the degree that trombonist Steve Turre does. Whether playing the music of Rahsaan Roland Kirk, performing as a member of the Saturday Night Live house band, or with one of his own units, his voice is distinctive and memorable.” His special guests take this group to another level. The Washington Post writes, “To hear saxophonist James Carter is to be blown away,” and the Wall Street Journal declares, “ELEW plays with fire, style, and relentless energy.” Finally, an indispensable rhythm section, featuring bassist Peter Washington and drummer Herlin Riley, completes this exciting ensemble. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Steve Turre – trombone & seashells James Carter – tenor saxophone ELEW – piano Peter Washington – bass Herlin Riley – drums “In the company of a sharp quintet featuring the saxophonist James Carter, Turre has the perfect platform to strut his multifarious stuff.” – The New Yorker Steve Turre, the renowned master of the trombone and seashells, leads an incredible all-star quintet featuring special guests James Carter on saxophone and ELEW on piano. Turre’s storied career includes work alongside music legends such as Ray Charles, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and Woody Shaw. A versatile performer and true jazz original, he’s equally at home on everything from swinging classic bop lines to conjuring Rahsaan over a deep groove. Downbeat says, “Few artists ‘own’ their instrument to the degree that trombonist Steve Turre does. Whether playing the music of Rahsaan Roland Kirk, performing as a member of the Saturday Night Live house band, or with one of his own units, his voice is distinctive and memorable.” His special guests take this group to another level. The Washington Post writes, “To hear saxophonist James Carter is to be blown away,” and the Wall Street Journal declares, “ELEW plays with fire, style, and relentless energy.” Finally, an indispensable rhythm section, featuring bassist Peter Washington and drummer Herlin Riley, completes this exciting ensemble. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Steve Turre – trombone & seashells James Carter – tenor saxophone ELEW – piano Peter Washington – bass Herlin Riley – drums “In the company of a sharp quintet featuring the saxophonist James Carter, Turre has the perfect platform to strut his multifarious stuff.” – The New Yorker Steve Turre, the renowned master of the trombone and seashells, leads an incredible all-star quintet featuring special guests James Carter on saxophone and ELEW on piano. Turre’s storied career includes work alongside music legends such as Ray Charles, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and Woody Shaw. A versatile performer and true jazz original, he’s equally at home on everything from swinging classic bop lines to conjuring Rahsaan over a deep groove. Downbeat says, “Few artists ‘own’ their instrument to the degree that trombonist Steve Turre does. Whether playing the music of Rahsaan Roland Kirk, performing as a member of the Saturday Night Live house band, or with one of his own units, his voice is distinctive and memorable.” His special guests take this group to another level. The Washington Post writes, “To hear saxophonist James Carter is to be blown away,” and the Wall Street Journal declares, “ELEW plays with fire, style, and relentless energy.” Finally, an indispensable rhythm section, featuring bassist Peter Washington and drummer Herlin Riley, completes this exciting ensemble. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Dayna Stephens – saxophones & EWI Jalen Baker – vibraphone Fabian Almazan – piano & keyboards Dezron Douglas – bass Johnathan Blake – drums “Blake is a drummer of volcanic power and deep soul, and Pentad is one of the most dynamic working bands in jazz today.” —NPR Music Drummer and composer Johnathan Blake—whose dynamic playing, artistic vision, and innate versatility led NPR to call him “the ultimate modernist” — previews the music of his new album on Blue Note Records, “My Life Matters,” with his new group he calls My Life Matters. The group features Dayna Stephens on saxophones and EWI (electronic wind instrument), Jalen Baker on vibraphone, Fabian Almazan on piano and keyboard, and Dezron Douglas on bass. The New York Times says, “Blake’s drumming is as bold as thunder and as subtle as the patter of rain.” The Guardian adds, “his command of time is quite unbelievable – tricky and playful but accurate to the millisecond.” His new album is a suite of songs that serves as a dual treatise on the importance of family values and the social imperative to stand up in the face of injustice. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Dayna Stephens – saxophones & EWI Jalen Baker – vibraphone Fabian Almazan – piano & keyboards Dezron Douglas – bass Johnathan Blake – drums “Blake is a drummer of volcanic power and deep soul, and Pentad is one of the most dynamic working bands in jazz today.” —NPR Music Drummer and composer Johnathan Blake—whose dynamic playing, artistic vision, and innate versatility led NPR to call him “the ultimate modernist” — previews the music of his new album on Blue Note Records, “My Life Matters,” with his new group he calls My Life Matters. The group features Dayna Stephens on saxophones and EWI (electronic wind instrument), Jalen Baker on vibraphone, Fabian Almazan on piano and keyboard, and Dezron Douglas on bass. The New York Times says, “Blake’s drumming is as bold as thunder and as subtle as the patter of rain.” The Guardian adds, “his command of time is quite unbelievable – tricky and playful but accurate to the millisecond.” His new album is a suite of songs that serves as a dual treatise on the importance of family values and the social imperative to stand up in the face of injustice. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Dayna Stephens – saxophones & EWI Jalen Baker – vibraphone Fabian Almazan – piano & keyboards Dezron Douglas – bass Johnathan Blake – drums “Blake is a drummer of volcanic power and deep soul, and Pentad is one of the most dynamic working bands in jazz today.” —NPR Music Drummer and composer Johnathan Blake—whose dynamic playing, artistic vision, and innate versatility led NPR to call him “the ultimate modernist” — previews the music of his new album on Blue Note Records, “My Life Matters,” with his new group he calls My Life Matters. The group features Dayna Stephens on saxophones and EWI (electronic wind instrument), Jalen Baker on vibraphone, Fabian Almazan on piano and keyboard, and Dezron Douglas on bass. The New York Times says, “Blake’s drumming is as bold as thunder and as subtle as the patter of rain.” The Guardian adds, “his command of time is quite unbelievable – tricky and playful but accurate to the millisecond.” His new album is a suite of songs that serves as a dual treatise on the importance of family values and the social imperative to stand up in the face of injustice. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Dayna Stephens – saxophones & EWI Jalen Baker – vibraphone Fabian Almazan – piano & keyboards Dezron Douglas – bass Johnathan Blake – drums “Blake is a drummer of volcanic power and deep soul, and Pentad is one of the most dynamic working bands in jazz today.” —NPR Music Drummer and composer Johnathan Blake—whose dynamic playing, artistic vision, and innate versatility led NPR to call him “the ultimate modernist” — previews the music of his new album on Blue Note Records, “My Life Matters,” with his new group he calls My Life Matters. The group features Dayna Stephens on saxophones and EWI (electronic wind instrument), Jalen Baker on vibraphone, Fabian Almazan on piano and keyboard, and Dezron Douglas on bass. The New York Times says, “Blake’s drumming is as bold as thunder and as subtle as the patter of rain.” The Guardian adds, “his command of time is quite unbelievable – tricky and playful but accurate to the millisecond.” His new album is a suite of songs that serves as a dual treatise on the importance of family values and the social imperative to stand up in the face of injustice. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Dayna Stephens – saxophones & EWI Jalen Baker – vibraphone Fabian Almazan – piano & keyboards Dezron Douglas – bass Johnathan Blake – drums “Blake is a drummer of volcanic power and deep soul, and Pentad is one of the most dynamic working bands in jazz today.” —NPR Music Drummer and composer Johnathan Blake—whose dynamic playing, artistic vision, and innate versatility led NPR to call him “the ultimate modernist” — previews the music of his new album on Blue Note Records, “My Life Matters,” with his new group he calls My Life Matters. The group features Dayna Stephens on saxophones and EWI (electronic wind instrument), Jalen Baker on vibraphone, Fabian Almazan on piano and keyboard, and Dezron Douglas on bass. The New York Times says, “Blake’s drumming is as bold as thunder and as subtle as the patter of rain.” The Guardian adds, “his command of time is quite unbelievable – tricky and playful but accurate to the millisecond.” His new album is a suite of songs that serves as a dual treatise on the importance of family values and the social imperative to stand up in the face of injustice. 

*PLEASE NOTE: All 7PM and 9PM shows at Smoke are Dinner Shows $25 | $30 | $40 | $45 - Wed & Thu $35 | $40 | $50 | $55 -Fri & Sun $35 | $50 | $60 | $65 - Sat Vincent Herring – alto saxophone Eric Alexander – tenor saxophone Mike LeDonne – piano John Webber – bass Lewis Nash – drums “Herring fuses instrumental mastery with equal and unified parts of jazz’s holy trinity of heart, mind, and soul.” – WNPR “Eric Alexander can play the tenor saxophone—never doubt that. He has the chops, power, and passion that make him one of the most blazingly bad-assed saxophonists of his generation.” – Downbeat Vincent Herring and Eric Alexander—two of the great saxophonists—on alto and tenor, respectively, reunite to celebrate the release of their new co-led album Split Decision. It’s been 20 years since they first went head-to-head on record for 2005’s The Battle: Live at Smoke. Both were already acclaimed among the powerhouse reedmen of their generation, and they have only garnered more acclaim in the two decades since. All About Jazz reports, “For those who long for the time when hard bop reigned supreme... here's a sure cure for any lament that those days are lost and gone forever.” These two esteemed leaders will be joined, as they are on the recording, by an equally impressive rhythm section: Pianist Mike LeDonne, bassist John Webber, and drummer Lewis Nash.