Alex LoRe – alto saxophone
John Ellis – tenor saxophone
Marta Sánchez – piano
Harish Raghavan – bass
JK Kim – drums

Pianist and composer Marta Sánchez, originally from Madrid, leads her acclaimed quintet with saxophonists Alex LoRe and John Ellis, bassist Harish Raghavan, and drummer JK Kim. Sánchez has gained significant global recognition and international audience with her innovative and original music. In addition to leading her own groups, she has worked with David Murray, Sara Serpa, Oscar Noriega, and Tim Berne, among many others. The Wall Street Journal reports, “Ms. Sánchez’s music is accessible and lovely, yet built on stark contrasts.” Downbeat adds, “As in her writing, Sanchez’s soloing favors lyricism, warmth and a strong sense of storytelling.”

Mary Stallings – vocals
Emmet Cohen – piano
Peter Washington – bass
Joe Farnsworth – drums

Mary Stallings, a consummate vocalist and performer, returns to SMOKE backed by the unbeatable trio of pianist Emmet Cohen, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Joe Farnsworth. The New York Times describes Stallings as “polished, self-possessed and close to the ground, with blues and gospel language on simmer. And she’s a wizard of the long tone, which she uses to laser into deep emotional zones; she leaves brackets of silence, and phrases with microscopic care.” And, The Wall Street Journal adds that she is “our greatest living link to the late, great (Carmen) McRae.”