Devin Gray Quartet

Darren Johnston, trumpet; Liberty Ellman, guitar; Lisa Mezzacappa, bass; Devin Gray, drums/compositions

The Devin Gray Quartet is an ensemble of forward-thinking improvisers operating at the intersection of modern jazz, contemporary composition, and fluid, exploratory group dynamics. Led by Brooklyn/Berlin-based drummer and composer Devin Gray, the quartet brings together four distinct voices from the contemporary jazz vanguard. Together, the quartet delivers a captivating blend of intricate polyrhythms, rich harmonic interplay, and spontaneous collective dialogue—delivering music that is as intellectually engaging as it is emotionally vibrant.

Berlin/NYC-based drummer Devin Gray is an artist driven by velocity, imagination, and an unshakeable commitment to the unknown. Rooted in jazz but propelled by an expansive curiosity, Gray moves fluidly between forward-leaning composition, high-intensity improvisation, and genre-agnostic experimentation; establishing himself as a vital and unpredictable presence in contemporary creative music. His work with artists such as Kris Davis, Luke Stewart, Gerald Cleaver, Ellery Eskelin, Michael Formanek, Dave Liebman, and Ralph Alessi ranges from precision-built ensembles to volatile, moment-to-moment collaborations highlighted by a drummer who treats the kit as both engine and instrument of color and microscopic detail. What ultimately sets Gray apart is not just his formidable technique or restless versatility, but a compositional mind with a bandleader’s vision giving each musical situation its own internal logic. With Gray behind the drums, expectation is irrelevant-the only certainty is forward motion.

$20 cover charge; byob
Students $10

For a reservation, call the bookshop at 415-586-3733