Midweek at Small's, NYC (Mar. 22-24)

Ari Hoenig Trio - Mar. 22 

(Screenshot by Russell)

Gadi Lehavi (piano); Ben Tiberio (double bass); Ari Hoenig (drums)

New York is currently under stricter lockdown measures, as a result Small's has once again been obliged to close its doors to audiences. The good news is live streams are able to continue. Ari Hoenig returned on Monday evening to play another trio gig - same pianist as last time, Gadi Lehavi, different bass player, Ben Tiberio. 

Two or three numbers from Hoenig's most recent visit to the Greenwich Village venue were once again in the set list, a varied set list at that. First up, George Shearing's Conception. On a Hoenig gig the bandleader is clearly the driving force, if not literally, metaphorically. Ellington and Monk, a couple of original compositions, Hoenig certainly mixed it up with Lehavi and Tiberio very much on Hoenig's wavelength throughout the one hour set. 

Set list: Conception; Lines of Oppression; Sophisticated Lady; Steps; Lana; Well, You Needn't

Steve Nelson Quartet - Mar. 23 

(Screenshot by Russell)

Steve Nelson (vibes); Rick Germanson (piano); Kiyoshi Kitagawa (double bass); Charles Goold (drums) 

Vibes man Steve Nelson doesn't say much. In fact, he doesn't say anything. If it wasn't for Small's MC introducing his quartet, the online audience could be forgiven for not knowing who was on stage! Nelson was the focal point although pianist Rick Germanson did get a look in, and the bass and drums pairing did more than what was required of them. The opening number, Oh, Lady be Good!, just about stole the show, a good show at that. 

Tardo Hammer Trio - Mar. 24 

(Screenshot by Russell)

Tardo Hammer (piano); Lee Hudson (double bass); Steve Williams (drums)

Harold Arlen's Ill Wind opened Tardo Hammer's set. This was BSH's first encounter with the pianist who, for many years, worked with Annie Ross. Accompanying the New Yorker at Small's were two friends, bassist Lee Hudson and drummer Steve Williams.

One online audience member declared: Hammertime! Others greeted Steve Williams' participation with delight. The hour long live stream of GASbook numbers gave Tardo Hammer the opportunity to put his stamp on the material. A fine player is Tardo, full name Richard Alan Hammer, Hudson and Williams perfectly attuned to the pianist's approach. Other gems in this mid-week set included Richard Rodgers' I Didn't Know What Time it Was and RandyWeston's Hi-Fly. 

Russell