Livestreams are Available for 48 Hours in Every Time Zone Walter Smith III – tenor saxophone James Francies – piano Harish Raghavan – bass Kendrick Scott – drums “A tenor saxophonist for our times.” – The Guardian Tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III leads an exciting quartet featuring pianist James Francies, bassist Harish Raghavan, and fellow Houston native drummer Kendrick Scott. Since his debut nearly two decades ago, Smith has become a cornerstone of the jazz scene, contributing to legendary groups such as Roy Haynes’ Fountain of Youth Band, the Terence Blanchard Quintet, Eric Harland’s Voyager, and the Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet, as well as collaborations with Jason Moran, Christian McBride, Gerald Clayton, and the Sean Jones Quintet, among many others. JazzWise praises Smith for expressing his deep modern jazz roots with "airy tenor sax tone and a ferocious yet understated technique" Meanwhile, Downbeat highlights his “killing” tone and melodicism, noting his “vast and beautiful flow of ideas.” 

Livestreams are Available for 48 Hours in Every Time Zone Craig Handy – tenor saxophone & flute George Cables – piano Alexander Claffy – bass Jerome Jennings – drums “Anyone serious about jazz will tell you that George Cables belongs in the pantheon of the greatest jazz pianists.” – All About Jazz Legendary pianist George Cables, celebrated for his impeccable sound, sensitive accompaniment, and distinctive playing, leads a stellar quartet. Recently named an inaugural recipient of the 2025 Jazz Legacy Fellowship by the Mellon Foundation and the Jazz Foundation of America, Cables is described as a “humble keyboard genius with impeccable technique and a unique songbook.” A key collaborator with jazz icons like Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Dexter Gordon, and Art Pepper, Cables’ contributions to jazz are undeniable. As a bandleader, he has released numerous classic recordings, solidifying his place as a major figure in the genre. The New York City Jazz Record hails him as “a piano giant,” while National Public Radio notes that his solos “reveal a deep sense of groove and pacing and a mind at work.” Joining him in this remarkable ensemble are saxophonist Craig Handy, bassist Alexander Claffy, and drummer Jerome Jennings. 

Livestreams are Available for 48 Hours in Every Time Zone Jon Faddis – trumpet Eric Alexander – tenor saxophone Steve Davis – trombone David Hazeltine – piano John Webber – bass Joe Farnsworth – drums “New York’s premier hard bop supergroup” – JazzTimes One for All, the renowned sextet featuring Eric Alexander, Steve Davis, David Hazeltine, John Webber, and Joe Farnsworth, is joined by special guest Jon Faddis for a heartfelt tribute to their beloved trumpeter and founding member, Jim Rotondi, who tragically passed away last summer at 61. Formed in the late 1990s and deeply inspired by the iconic hard bop sextets of the golden age, One for All became a fixture at Smoke, delivering electrifying performances over the years. Their unique sound blends a deep reverence for jazz tradition with a forward-thinking approach that pushes its boundaries. As All About Jazz noted, “Cohesive and interdependent, these musicians bring out the best in one another.” At the heart of this dynamic group was Rotondi—an exceptional composer, arranger, and performer—whose fiery contributions helped shape the sextet’s distinct identity. For these special performances, the great Jon Faddis, famed for his incredible technical prowess and work with jazz legends like Dizzy Gillespie, joins One for All to honor Rotondi’s legacy with his own powerful voice. 

Livestreams are Available for 48 Hours in Every Time Zone Cyrus Chestnut – piano Dezron Douglas – bass Willie Jones III – drums “The best jazz pianist of his generation.” – Time Renowned for his soulful brilliance, piano virtuoso Cyrus Chestnut leads an exceptional trio featuring bassist Dezron Douglas and drummer Willie Jones III. Chestnut’s playing, deeply rooted in gospel and blues, infuses each performance with profound emotional depth. As The New York Times notes, his “crisp articulation and blues-inflected harmony evoke another era… multifaceted and dynamic,” seamlessly blending tradition with fresh innovation to captivate audiences. Chestnut’s artistry has earned him widespread acclaim as one of the most distinctive and compelling jazz pianists of his generation. As The New York Daily News aptly describes him, he is “the rightful heir to Bud Powell, Art Tatum, and Erroll Garner.” 

Vincent Herring – alto saxophone Jeremy Pelt – trumpet (except Sat) Freddie Hendrix – trumpet (Sat only) Wayne Escoffery – tenor saxophone Adam Rodgers – guitar David Kikoski – bass Essiet Essiet – bass Lewis Nash – drums “Top-shelf soul-jazz and swing… Every one of these musicians is elite – it was an extraordinary set.” – Glide Magazine Fiery and soulful alto saxophonist Vincent Herring leads this exceptional collective supergroup, bringing together trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery, guitarist Adam Rodgers, pianist David Kikoski, bassistEssiet Essiet, and drummer Lewis Nash. On Saturday night, Freddie Hendrix will join in place of Pelt. Herring sums it up perfectly: “The best musicians playing great music and thoroughly enjoying it.” Their repertoire reinvents classic soul jazz with fresh arrangements of iconic tunes while also introducing their own original contributions to the genre. The performances are rich, soulful, and irresistibly funky. As The New Yorker puts it: “This powerhouse ensemble taps into a timeless repertoire of funk-infused tracks by legends such as Bobby Timmons, Horace Silver, and Lou Donaldson, practically daring audiences to stay still or behave.”