JAZZ NOTES: Smoke, Smalls, Village Vanguard

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Pianist and composer Christian Sands is creating his own fresh fluidity in the jazz forum, but one would not consider less from the mentee of the legendary Dr. Billy Taylor. Sands follows the jazz canon of hard bop but more subdued — his rhythms roar like a ferocious lion with a giant whisper, never overstated but more than enough to entrance any listener.

Sands, still a rising force, will celebrate the release of his new album “Embracing Dawn,” leading a quartet featuring guitarist Marvin Sewell, bassist Jonathon Muir-Cotton (Thursday and Friday), bassist Yasushi Nakamura (Saturday and Sunday), and drummer Ryan Sands at the Smoke jazz club (2751 Broadway) on September 26–29. This new album with its nine striking compositions represents another step in Sands’s evolution as an enduring pianist with so much more to accomplish.

“Embracing You” demonstrates Sands’s continued growth as an adventurous pianist consistently looking for new expeditions. Just listen to his earlier interpretation of the well-traveled “Autumn in New York” (Furioso, M&I 2008) that dances with his piano solo, accentuating his qualities as a creative band leader. His style references a young Herbie Hancock during his “Blind Man, Blind Man” and “Inventions in Dimensions,” era, as well as the mesmerizing pianist Erroll Garner. Like his mentor Taylor, Sands can deliver the stylings of stride piano.

For reservations, visit smokejazz.com. or call 212-864-6662.

Since 1994, Smalls, the little jazz club in the West Village (183 W. 10th Street) has been a mecca for young jazz-inspired musicians to take to the performance stage to perfect their creative careers. Such performances have given audiences an opportunity to see some of these musicians rise to jazz recognition.

The club’s tradition with aspiring musicians continues with its regular Smalls Afternoon Jam Session and with hosts on September 27–29 at 2 p.m.–5 p.m. The opening jam will be hosted by bassist Kyle Colina, who will also perform with his trio, guitarist Panas Athanatos and drummer Errold Lanier Jr. On September 28, the host will be drummer Andrew Kushnir with guitarist David Rouke and bassist Marty Kenney. On closing afternoon, the host will be trumpeter Ryo Sasaki with pianist Steve Ash and drummer Steve Little, and featuring veteran bassist and author Bill Crow (who played and recorded extensively with Gerry Mulligan and Stan Getz).

There is no cover charge and all musicians are welcome to play. For a complete schedule of live jazz shows nightly, featuring established and rising musicians, visit smallslive.com.

The saxophonist and composer Walter Smith III says he learned how to play melodies from the legendary drummer Roy Haynes. Between those treasured lessons and others, he stands as one of the brightest tenor saxophonists of his generation.

On October 1–6, Smith will lead an all-star quartet at Manhattan’s oldest jazz club, Village Vanguard (178 7th Avenue). The lineup features his longtime bandmates and collaborators pianist Jason Moran, bassist Reuben Rogers, and drummer Eric Harland.

This engagement comes on the heels of his Blue Note-released album (September 27), “Three of us are from Texas and Reuben is not.” Smith pays homage to his hometown of Houston, Texas, along with his fellow Texans Moran and Harland; Rogers hails from the Virgin Islands. Together, they play 10 Smith originals and one inventive version of Sam Rivers’s composition “Point of Many Returns.”

The quartet is more than likely to play music from this latest album, as well as music from their many collaborations. For reservations, visit villagevanguard.com.

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