Ethan Iverson, Lee Konitz, Ben Street, Mark Turner, Albert Tootie Heath © Jim Eigo

Expect exciting improvisation as the Lee Konitz/Mark Turner Quintet with Ethan Iverson, Ben Street and Albert "Tootie" Heath  play the Iridium in Manhatan on Friday, December 18th through Sunday, December 20th with sets at 8:30 and 10:30.  NEA Jazz Master Lee Konitz has a long history of working well with a tenor player - notably Warne Marsh with the legendary Lennie Tristano. Mark Turner, who was heavily influenced by Warne Marsh and John Coltrane, is the ideal contemporary foil. A decade ago, Turner was a guest soloist on Konitz's album Parallels but this will be their first chance for extended sonic exploration in a club. Jazz drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath and Konitz haven’t played together since the 1960’s. Recently Heath has been regularly drumming with Ethan Iverson and Ben Street at Smalls and they will release a live record of bebop tunes in 2010. Cerebral pianist Ethan Iverson is the best known as the pianist of the Bad Plus.

“One of the elder statesmen of the hard-bop genre and one of the true living legends of jazz piano.” – Joel Roberts, All About Jazz

Cedar Walton

Randy Weston © Andrea Canter

Randy Weston received his earliest training from private teachers in a household that nurtured his budding musicianship. Growing up in Brooklyn, Weston was influenced by such peers as saxophonist Cecil Payne and trumpeter Ray Copeland as well as the steady influx of great jazz musicians who frequented Brooklyn clubs and jam sessions on a regular basis. Such musicians as Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington would have a lasting influence on Weston's music, both in terms of his piano playing and composition.

Wayne Escoffery, photo by Lorenzo Dasaro

The Wayne Escoffery Quartet will perform at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club in New York City on Friday, December 4th and Saturday, December 5th with three sets each. The Wayne Escoffery Quartet features Wayne Escoffery on tenor saxophone, Ari Rothbard on guitar, Ray Drummond on bass and Ben Riley on drums. Since moving to New York City in 2000, tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery has become one of the Jazz world’s most talented rising stars and in-demand sidemen. At only 32 he has recorded four CDs as a leader and been on numerous recordings as a sideman. Wayne began his professional New York career touring and recording with The Eric Reed Septet. In 2001 he became a steady member of the Mingus Big Band/Orchestra/Dynasty, The Lonnie Plaxico Group, and Abdulah Ibrahim’s Akaya.