Are you a musician who has performed at Smalls or Mezzrow in the past and doesn’t have an artist account then please contact us directly at musician@smallslive.com.
The SmallsLIVE Foundation for Jazz Art & Education is a not-for-profit arts organization.
Our mission is to subsidize the operation of our venues, recording projects, tours and educational initiatives.
During this Covid-19 pandemic our mission is to keep the clubs floating until business can be restored.
We will also sponsor live-streamed concerts from the club that will keep the musicians working during this period.
We will also be offering emergency aid for Jazz musicians in need due to this calamity.
Archive
The SmallsLIVE Archive is an audio/video library of all the shows at Smalls & Mezzrow.
Royalties are paid directly to the musicians by The SmallsLIVE Foundation.
Members sponsor their favorite musicians by listening to their music.
Live Stream
Smalls Jazz Club has been a pioneer in live streaming and began streaming shows live from the venue in 2007.
There is no cost to watch our live streams. During normal operating times the entire evening is streamed.
During this Covid-19 pandemic period there will be special live concerts scheduled in advance.
SmallsLIVE Catalog
The SmallsLIVE Catalog is a collection of individually produced artist projects.
SmallsLIVE Members may sponsor artists of their choice and receive their music as downloads or CDs.
Sponsorships directly support the artist.
James Hurt
Piano
Artist Albums
Recently Added
06/04/2019
Smalls
Abraham Burton Quartet
12/16/2017
Smalls
Duane Eubanks Quintet
01/27/2016
Smalls
The Amos Hoffman Group
09/13/2008
Smalls
The Sherman Irby Sextet
09/12/2008
Smalls
The Sherman Irby Sextet
Upcoming Shows
Given all the references to rhythm, it shouldn't surprise anyone that the accomplished pianist grew up playing the drums. Raised in Memphis, Hurt was always fascinated by music and upon auditioning as a percussionist, attended performing arts school to strengthen his musical skills.A shift to the piano was expedited by the fact that a living legend was only a phone call away. When the Hurt household got its first upright piano, James' mom had a pal come over and show the young percussionist what was what with the 88s - a guru by the name of Phineas Newborn. 'He was older, and dressed real nice,' says Hurt. 'I didn't know who he was. He sat down to this heavy old box and started massacring it, man. He played one song with his left hand another with his right. Amazing. He's been an inspiration to me through the years. Not style-wise, but as far as talent goes, definitely. I look to his proficiency as an example of what can be accomplished.'Hurt hit New York in 1994, after earning his master's degree in education. Like many newcomers he spent time at local jam sessions. From Iridium to Smalls, his rep as a wild card improviser grew quickly. 'No one really wanted to hear what I was playing when I first came to town,' he recalls, 'but after a while I found guys with whom I could communicate. The exchange you get out of shedding and sharing is priceless....you can't find that in college, or anywhere.''I don't attempt to reinvent bebop or anything else,' he says. 'It took at least four years in New York to absorb what was going on - and there was plenty going on, believe me. The idea is to keep moving to the next plateau. At first I was upset about not being on the scene earlier. But I did a lot of living before New York, and took the time to get my expressions together. I think it paid off to arrive exactly when I did.'Though a down-to-earth guy, Hurt's liner notes explain he's long been interested in celestial forces. 'Some people tease me: 'Hey man you can't know about that stuff, you're too young.' But the power of creative energy is always relevant. I've been interested in space, cosmos, astrology, and extra terrestrial phenomena since I was a kid. I hadn't expressed those curiosities musically until now. But they've been in the back of my head for a long time.'