One of the most rewarding events of 2025 and onward has been the monthly appearances of Danny Tobias’ groups at Winnie’s Jazz Bar in the Refinery Hotel, address above. I’ve missed two, but have been at all the others, and they have been both fun and enlightening.
Fun because Danny is not only an easy-going lyrical hot player who likes great melodies, but also a leader who makes the band and the audience comfortable. It’s not Easy Listening, but it is easy to listen to. And for intense, leaning-forward, note-taking listeners like myself, Danny and friends show on every tune what can be done with material that others would consider overworked. He and the band don’t strive for long solos where the melody has to be hunted for; they prefer music that makes people feel the emotions its composers had when they wrote it. As such, Danny’s Lucky Seven is spiritually uplifting and another reason I will never leave New York.
The most recent incarnation of the Lucky Seven, aptly named, is Danny, trumpet and Eb alto horn; John Allred, trombone; Harry Allen, tenor saxophone; Steve Ash, piano; Felix Lemerle, guitar; Jen Hodge, double bass; Kevin Dorn, drums.
Here are four nifty and completely typical performances from their October 2025 evening.
AM I BLUE?:
COQUETTE:
CREOLE LOVE CALL:
9:20 SPECIAL:
Now, that’s the (fairly) recent past. How about the future, just around the corner?
I will point out, as a consumer of such things, that Winnie’s is a singularly friendly place, with solicitous yet casual staff and tasty food. Drinking and videoing don’t mix, so I can’t testify to the cocktails, but I know they are well and carefully made.
That’s the end of the subtlety: if you miss Danny and the band, you are missing something great.
May your happiness increase!
JAZZ LIVES 