Recipient Information
Location
New York, New York
Year of Award
2026
Grant or Fellowship
Jazz Road Tours Grant
Grant Amount
$15,000
The Simon Mogul Quartet features tenor saxophonist Simon Mogul alongside jazz veteran Curtis Lundy (bass), Marc Payne on piano, and Jacob Smith on drums. This intergenerational ensemble bridges the deep experience of Lundy with a youthful urgency and forward-looking creativity.
The group performs original compositions and arrangements by Mogul and Lundy. Their sound takes heavy influence from the late '50s/early '60s Blue Note era, including the music of prominent African American jazz icons such as Wayne Shorter, Cannonball Adderley, and McCoy Tyner. This band has a spontaneous and gritty sound, reminiscent of jazz's golden age of the late '50s/early '60s. The material the quintet plays, however, is almost entirely new and very fresh. Simply put, it's new music with an old-school approach.
Acclaimed on the international stage, the Simon Mogul Quartet was a finalist in both the 2023 Bucharest International Jazz Competition and the 7 Virtual Jazz Club competition. The group’s debut record, led by Mogul, is set for release in late 2025 on Marc Cary’s SessionHeads United label. The album features contributions from artists such as Lundy, Jeremy Pelt, and Rodney Green.
Simon Mogul is a Miami-born saxophonist based in New York City. Mogul has performed at top NYC venues with artists like Curtis Lundy, Phillip Harper, Matt Wilson, and Arturo O’Farrill. His debut album is set for release in 2025.
Curtis Lundy is a renowned bassist and longtime collaborator of Betty Carter. He has performed with legends such as Pharoah Sanders, Bobby Watson, and Johnny Griffin. Lundy has shaped generations of musicians through his work as both a performer and a mentor.
Marc Payne is a Nashville-based pianist whose dynamic style draws from gospel and jazz influences including Thelonious Monk and Hank Jones. He has shared the stage with Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy, and Regi Wooten, performing at iconic venues like the Grand Ole Opry and Rudy's Jazz Room.
Jacob W. A. Smith is a drummer from Boston, Mass. At the young age of 22, he has already accompanied jazz stars such as Jazzmeia Horn, Wycliffe Gordon, and Curtis Lundy.