Frisell's playing has always been about space — bent single notes, delay pedals used like reverb on a room, Americana melodies dissolved into something stranger — and the Vanguard's wedge-shaped basement is the most sympathetic acoustic in New York for it. This quartet adds Greg Tardy's saxophone and Gerald Clayton's piano to that vocabulary, with Johnathan Blake underneath. If you have never sat in the Vanguard, a week-long stand by a living master is the right reason to finally go.
What to expect
A small, seated basement room with about a hundred and twenty seats, no bad sightline and a strict no-talking convention during sets. The club runs multiple sets a night, sold separately, with seating by arrival order. Expect long-form playing rather than short numbers.
Good to know
- The 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, B, D, F and M all converge near Seventh Avenue South and West 11th Street.
- Seating is by arrival order within each set, so lining up early gets you the front tables.
- The Vanguard is cash-friendly but expects quiet during the music — conversation carries in a room this small.
- There is a drink minimum, and the club does not serve food.
- The room is down a steep staircase with no elevator; call ahead about access.
- Sets sell out on marquee weeks, so reserve rather than walking up.
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Common questions
Who is in the band?
Bill Frisell on guitar, Greg Tardy on saxophone, Gerald Clayton on piano and Johnathan Blake on drums.
How many sets a night?
The Vanguard runs multiple sets nightly, each ticketed separately.
Is the club accessible?
The room is down a steep flight of stairs with no elevator, so contact the club in advance about access.
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