The Buster Elliot Quintet grew out of a weekly music session at the Flatiron studio of bassist Joe Solomon, who teaches jazz improvisation to several members of the band. Solmon himself is carrying on a tradition he inherited from the legendary pianist Lenny Tristano (and later Sal Mosca), who deeply influenced the great saxophonists Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh.


The band members are:

Paul Keegan - Trumpet
John Austria - Piano
Fred Pratt - Bass
Vince Warren - Drums
Marco Chelo - Tenor Sax

The band plays a mix of bebop, swing, and Latin jazz, combining standards with more contemporary compositions. Their gigs are upbeat, relaxed affairs. With no cover charge, no minimum, and no hype, the Buster Elliot Quintet offers only a smart and soulful musical conversation.

On any given night, guest artists may stop by to sit in, including Joe Solomon (bass), Alexa Fila (vocals), Richard Braithwaite (saxophone) Jay Hatler (trombone), John Marchese (trumpet and piano), Keith Jordan (guitar), King Downing (percussion), Fred Gilde,  (piano), and Evan Ryan (bass).

Buster Elliot is currently performing as 2 different groups ( "Blue Soul" and "il Collettivo") with the same rythm session and different soloist. We still perform as "Buster Elliot Quintet" for large engagments or special occasions. The two groups alternate Wednsday's at Boom Restaurant and Bar in Soho at 152 Spring Street (between Wooster and West Broadway) every other Wednsday from 8 to 11PM