The New York Times praises Billy Hart as “a drummer of earthy enlightenment, conversant in every branch of modern jazz but forever connected to its root.” That root comes from decades spent playing alongside the greatest talents in jazz: Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz, and McCoy Tyner. More than half a century and hundreds of records into a storied career, Billy Hart still plays with precision and soul.
This living legend brings to Duke Performances his own combo, the Billy Hart Quartet. Elder statesman Hart joins three next-generation stars: The Bad Plus pianist Ethan Iverson, tenor saxophonist Mark Turner, and bassist Ben Street. After more than a decade together, as well as two acclaimed recordings on the ECM label, this quartet has developed a “tight yet fluid interplay” (NPR) found only in jazz artists connecting at the absolutely highest level. Hear these seldom-touring masters live at the 21c ballroom, a 150-seat space at one of Durham’s most stylish boutique hotels.
Jazz at the 21c is presented in collaboration with the 21c Museum Hotel Durham.