Alexander Claffy Quartet featuring Brazilian Legand Toninho Horta

Fri, Dec 5, 2025

Alexander Claffy Quartet featuring Brazilian Legand Toninho Horta

with Alex Claffy

"Musicians everywhere love Toninho Horta's songs. Through his work with Milton Nascimento, his own recordings and the cover versions of his tunes that have appeared on various albums throughout the past decade or so, Toninho has emerged as one of the most harmonically sophisticated and melodically satisfying Brazilian composers of recent times. Somehow, he writes chord progressions that defy gravity, moving up when you think they're going down. His melodies stay with you for days; you're sure you've heard them before, but they are brand new. And as an arranger, he's a master. (Not just with his own music either - check out what he does here with "Diamond Land"). As a guitarist, he's one of the world's great "compers" on violao. (That's a nylon-string guitar to us gringos). He plays such great voicings with such a cool time feel... (I've often described him to other musicians as the Herbie Hancock of Bossa Nova guitarists). His love of jazz guitar playing is well represented here, as is his excellent singing. In short, Toninho Horta is an incredible musician, the rare guitarist who understand harmony in its most intimate ways and - above all - one of the finest and gentlest people I've ever had the good fortune of knowing. This record, DIAMOND LAND, is a great addition to Toninho's ongoing work, and will also serve as an excellent introduction to those listeners not yet familiar with his music." - Pat Metheny

Alex Claffy

At age 32, bassist Alex Claffy has become one of the most in-demand performers of his generation, both as a sideman working with the biggest names in Jazz and Popular music, and also as a bandleader, composer and producer having just released his fourth album as a leader “Music From Big Orange” in late 2022 with another record on the way ft. Michael “Sonny Step” Stephenson in early 2023. Living in New York City but born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Claffy is the next great Jazz artist in his hometown’s storied lineage, following in the footsteps of Philadelphia bass luminaries such as Christian McBride, Percy Heath and Jimmy Garrison. His resumé as a sideman reads as a veritable who’s who of Jazz royalty, ranging from Jazz masters such as George Coleman, Harold Mabern, Randy Brecker, Jimmy Cobb, George Cables, Wallace Roney, Mike LeDonne, Fred Hersch, Victor Lewis, and Louis Hayes, to the top stars of today such as Nicholas Payton, Christian Adjtunde Adjuah, Kevin Hays, Aaron Parks, Seamus Blake and Kurt Rosenwinkel - the latter of which he’s appeared with three times at Village Vanguard since the Summer of 2022. His work in more Pop settings with the likes of trumpet icon Chris Botti, the genre-bending songstress Veronica Swift and breakout Hamilton star vocalist Leslie Odom Jr. prove his versatility as a bassist and musician know no bounds. When he’s not touring the world headlining major Jazz festivals and clubs, Claffy can be found in any of the top venues in New York City’s decorated Jazz scene such as Birdland, the Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club, SMOKE and Smalls, as well as frequent trips back to Philadelphia, where he is committed to enriching and enlivening his hometown scene as well. In his spare time he’s an avid vinyl collector, has a voracious appetite for podcasts and the greats of stand-up comedy, as well as his dedication to his work as a clinician and teacher, hosting a private studio of bass students as well as adjunct work at his alma mater, the New School of Jazz.

Show times 7:30 & 9:30
General Admission ~ a la carte menu: $30
Dinner & Show ~  Includes 3-course dinner: $100
VIP Dinner & Show ~  Includes dinner above and upgraded stage-front seating: $120
(Beverages not included)

All-In Price at check out inclusive of taxes & fees. Server gratuity ($14) added to Dinner & Show fees.

Join our YouTube Channel to watch live: Chris' Jazz Cafe

"Musicians everywhere love Toninho Horta's songs. Through his work with Milton Nascimento, his own recordings and the cover versions of his tunes that have appeared on various albums throughout the past decade or so, Toninho has emerged as one of the most harmonically sophisticated and melodically satisfying Brazilian composers of recent times. Somehow, he writes chord progressions that defy gravity, moving up when you think they're going down. His melodies stay with you for days; you're sure you've heard them before, but they are brand new. And as an arranger, he's a master. (Not just with his own music either - check out what he does here with "Diamond Land"). As a guitarist, he's one of the world's great "compers" on violao. (That's a nylon-string guitar to us gringos). He plays such great voicings with such a cool time feel... (I've often described him to other musicians as the Herbie Hancock of Bossa Nova guitarists). His love of jazz guitar playing is well represented here, as is his excellent singing. In short, Toninho Horta is an incredible musician, the rare guitarist who understand harmony in its most intimate ways and - above all - one of the finest and gentlest people I've ever had the good fortune of knowing. This record, DIAMOND LAND, is a great addition to Toninho's ongoing work, and will also serve as an excellent introduction to those listeners not yet familiar with his music." - Pat Metheny

Alex Claffy