Itinerary

2024

COUNTDOWN 2025 – COLTRANE FESTIVAL: Louis Hayes with the Vincent Herring Quartet featuring George Cables

Wed, Dec 25. Thurs, Dec 26

Vincent Herring – alto saxophone
George Cables – piano
Yasushi Nakamura – bass
Louis Hayes – drums

“[Hayes] has spent over 70 years keeping time with some of the most soulful artists in the music’s history.” – National Public Radio

SMOKE’s year-end Coltrane Festival “Countdown 2025” continues with drum icon and NEA Jazz Master Louis Hayes as the special guest of the Vincent Herring Quartet featuring legendary pianist George Cables. A treasure of American music, Hayes, in a career spanning seven decades, has worked and recorded with legendary artists, including Horace Silver, Oscar Peterson, Cannonball Adderley, Grant Green, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Wes Montgomery, and, of course, John Coltrane. His impeccable feel and propulsive swing have helped to define the art of jazz drumming. The Guardian reports, “[Hayes] has an unmistakable style: excitement tempered by poise.” All About Jazz adds, “Today, Louis is one of the last men drumming from jazz’s galloping hard-bop era. Best of all, [he] hasn't lost an ounce of energy or style.” Hayes is featured in this quartet alongside another legend, pianist George Cables. All About Jazz writes, “Anyone who is serious about jazz will tell you that George Cables belongs in the pantheon of the greatest jazz pianists.” Finally, it’s all helmed by the incredible Vincent Herring, one of the great alto saxophonists, who the New York City Jazz Record says “has firmly established himself as one of his generation’s masters.” Read More