John "the Smoker" Kocur at Blues Alley

Jazz saxophonist and composer John Kocur is captivating new audiences by putting an adventurous yet accessible spin on a classic tradition. Kocur's compositions have been described as "mainly straight-ahead and clearly influenced by the playing of past masters such as Johnny Hodges and Cannonball Adderley, but they are not simply derivative. The ballads in particular display a maturity in writing and playing" (Bruce Lindsay, All About Jazz). While highlighting original music, the Quartet also creates unique interpretations of popular American songs from past and present. The group's style is an intimate, all-acoustic format, where the music takes center stage....

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Jazz saxophonist and composer John Kocur is captivating new audiences by putting an adventurous yet accessible spin on a classic tradition. Kocur's compositions have been described as "mainly straight-ahead and clearly influenced by the playing of past masters such as Johnny Hodges and Cannonball Adderley, but they are not simply derivative. The ballads in particular display a maturity in writing and playing" (Bruce Lindsay, All About Jazz). While highlighting original music, the Quartet also creates unique interpretations of popular American songs from past and present. The group's style is an intimate, all-acoustic format, where the music takes center stage.
“Alto saxophonist John Kocur isn’t called “The Smoker” for nothing. He’s simply one of the finest    soloists the D.C. jazz scene has to offer—and, it turns out, one of its most promising composers and bandleaders, too.” -Michael J. West, Washington City Paper 

“A promising young alto saxophonist, John Kocur has an unequivocally clear and forceful tone, and deploys it in precise but expressive solos. They call the kid “the smoker” for something. He tends to write post-bop tunes with thrash and groove, and leads a tight quartet." – CapitalBop

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