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On a windy New York Wednesday, what better way to seek refuge than a trip to the historic Blue Note Jazz Club to catch a Cory Wong and Friends show. Still hot from their first of six nights at the legendary venue, the sextet delivered a performance that would have melted Jack Frost. Shredding his signature silky riffs, Wong (Guitar) was accompanied by Joshua Redman (Sax), Yohannes Tona (Bass), Peter Janjic (Drums), Taylor Eigsti (Keys) and Kevin Gastonguay (Organ) for a night of funk and soul that we won’t soon forget.

Regular listeners of Cory Wong will know that a setlist could very easily be constructed from any of his successful works, whether it be solo albums or group projects like Vulfpeck or The Fearless Flyers (who he last performed with at this venue in December 2023). Instead of dipping into the bag of fan favorites however, the group treated us to a tailor-made Blue Note setlist. With almost every song of the night being constructed specifically for this run of shows, Wong and Friends created an intimate atmosphere in what is already an amazing space for music. Performing work-in-progress track titles like “Strut with a Mutt” and “Play with Me,” unreleased tunes made just for this night, Wong turned the Blue Note into his personal studio. He gave a glimpse both into the creative process behind such groovy tunes as well as the goofiness that comes from trying to name those same songs.

All of these details of course mean very little as soon as the band hits their first note. Playing in such tight harmony, it would only make sense to call them friends. Despite the group being a consistently rotating backline of musicians since 2016, it's easy to believe that the six had grown up together. While Tona and Janjic laid down stellar backbeats and Eigsti and Gastoguay traded crisp key riffs, Redman and Wong took turns captivating the crowd. The group swayed from soulful jazz to head-bopping funk for just under two hours, the entire time in intense synchronicity. With each player given a chance to dazzle the New York crowd, it is obvious that the beauty of this band lies not just in their talent, but in their cohesion as a unit.

Cory Wong and Friends delivered a fresh set with vibes ranging from Funkadelic to Miles Davis. With such an iconic venue serving as the backdrop for a night of supreme music, it’s no wonder the club is completely sold out for the band’s entire residency! Although their time in NYC is limited, Wong will be hitting the road for a string of international shows going into the new year. If you’re looking for grooves that’ll make you sweat, we highly recommend checking them out!

Connect with Cory Wong on Instagram, Spotify, and his website.