01.09.2009 Hot HouseSpotlight
DAN PRATT - SMALLS/JANUARY 11.

Since tenorist Pratt's quartet (with Jared Gold playing organ and twin brothers Alan and Mark Ferber heard on trombone and drums respectively) is the same foursome heard on Springloaded, a recording made five years ago, you get the idea that these chaps are friends of long-standing. Their comfort with one another is reflected, too, in the music, which often swings unmercifully. Though Pratt's been on the NYC scene for over a decade, his profile has been raised considerably through his participation in the Brooklyn Jazz Underground combine. By the way, following the 9:30 PM set by his quartet, he'll also play with Alan Ferber's nonet at 11:30 PM.

Paul Blair

01.09.2009 Hot HouseMeanwhile, In Brooklyn
If you haven't yet tuned into the music being created by the members of the Brooklyn Jazz Underground, varied treats await. Three CD samplers already in circulation hint at the power of their efforts. Better yet, catch groups led by ten founding BJU members during a three-night event they're holding at Smalls on Jan. 9-11. These gifted folks include violinist Tanya Kalmanovitch, percussionists Sunny Jain and Ted Poor, trumpeter Shane Endsley, bassists Anne-Mette Iversen and Alexis Cuadrado, trombonist Alan Ferber, pianist Benny Lackner and saxophonist Jerome Sabbagh and Dan Pratt. brooklynjazz.org has the whole shindig laid out in detail, along with sound clips and news updates. While you're at Smalls on any of these three nights, grab some of their albums as well.

01.09.2009 NEW YORK POST - Weekend hot picks in entertainmentRoom to improv
The Brooklyn Jazz Underground improvs its way across the river and to the teeny-weeny Smalls Jazz Club (183 W. 10th Street; 212-675-7369) for its third annual festival today through Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The jazz collective's eight members, with their bands, will perform new and original works. Tickets are $20. See brooklynjazz.org for a nightly schedule.

- Mary Huhn

01.09.2009 The New York TimesJazz Listings
BROOKLYN JAZZ UNDERGROUND FESTIVAL (Friday through Sunday)

This plucky series, a production of the collective known as the Brooklyn Jazz Underground, showcases two or three working bands a night, each worthwhile. Of particular note are the quartets led by the violinist and violist Tanya Kalmanovitch (Friday at 7:30 p.m.) and the bassist Anne Mette Iversen (Saturday at 7:30); Cuarteto Ibérico, a signature group of the bassist Alexis Cuadrado (Sunday at 7:30); and the Alan Ferber Nonet, featuring the compositions of Mr. Ferber, a trombonist (Sunday at 11:30). At Smalls, 183 West 10th Street, West Village, (212) 252-5091, smallsjazzclub.com; cover, $20 per set.

(Chinen)

01.09.2009 Jazz Beyond JazzManhattan Music surge for APAP
The Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) convenes in Manhattan this weekend, demonstrating the greatest health and resilience of any sector of the jazz-new music economy. Last year more than 4000 attendees registered to schmooze, exhibit, theorize and opine on panels, take in showcase performances and make deals with musicians eager for gigs.

The talent search is paramount, and among the numerous music showcases in conjunction with APAP all around Manhattan January 9 - 13, three especially stand out: Winterjazzfest, the Brooklyn Jazz Underground Festival and globalFEST 2009. Talent to spare!

The third annual Brooklyn Jazz Underground Festival at Small's (also in Greenwich Village -- not Brooklyn) features two and three bands per night, Friday 1/9 through Sunday 1/11, $20 per set.

The Brooklyn weekend includes combos I haven't heard but have heard about led by violinist Tanya Kalmanovitch and South Asian-American drummer Sunny Jain (with pianist Marc Cary) on Jan. 9; bassist Anne Mette Iversen, saxophonist Jerome Sabbagh, and pianist Benny Lackner's trio on Jan 10; bassist Alexis Cuadrado, saxophonist Dann Pratt's organ trio, and trombonist Alan Ferber's nonet on Jan 11.