Chris Byars Octet
About This Event
Saxophonist Chris Byars leads an octet that extends the small-group language he’s explored in the septet, drawing on his early training as a child opera singer and a preference for clear lines and controlled breath. At Smalls Jazz Club the eight-piece setting lets the band trade tighter written passages with open solos, emphasizing bebop forms and harmonic detail rather than overt display.
About the Artists
Chris Byars
Chris Byars is a jazz saxophonist heard in New York City rooms like Smalls Jazz Club, where his sets lean into the close listening the space encourages. He began performing early as a child opera singer, a background that still shows in his attention to line and breath.
Chris Byars Septet
Chris Byars Septet is a New York City–based jazz ensemble led by saxophonist Chris Byars, who began his musical training as a child opera singer before moving into improvising traditions. The group is heard at Smalls Jazz Club, where the room’s close acoustics bring small shifts in rhythm, breath, and articulation into focus.
Chris Byars Octet
Chris Byars Octet is a New York City jazz ensemble led by saxophonist Chris Byars, expanding the small-group language he has explored with projects like the Chris Byars Septet. The band is heard at Smalls Jazz Club, a room closely associated with contemporary bebop practice.