Steve Kuhn Trio, Joey DeFrancesco Organ Quartet & More Set for Birdland Next Month

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its May 2014 schedule, featuring Steve Kuhn Trio, Joey DeFrancesco Organ Quartet, Karrin Allyson, BOSSABRASIL Festival, and more.

April 29-May 3 (Tuesday - Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11PM
Steve Kuhn Trio
Steve Swallow (bass) Joey Baron (drums)

After making his mark as a sideman with John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Art Farmer and others, pianist Steve Kuhn moved beyond the powerful influence of Bill Evans to become a unique stylist with incredible technique, sense of dynamics and lyricism. Over the last fifteen years Steve has released critically acclaimed CDs marking a well-deserved career renaissance. Bass guitar master and composer Steve Swallow joined the Paul Bley Trio in 1960, subsequently playing in groups led by Jimmy Giuffre, George Russell, Art Farmer, Stan Getz and Gary Burton. Since the late 1970s, Swallow has been closely associated with his wife Carla Bley's groups while also touring and recording with other top jazz artists including John Scofield and Lee Konitz. Rounding out the trio, drummer Joey Baron combines technical acuity with a deep sense of groove. Best known for his work with Bill Frisell, Stan Getz, John Zorn and guitarists John Scofield, John Abercrombie and Jim Hall, Joey has also performed with musicians outside of jazz including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, David Bowie, Tony Bennett, Laurie Anderson and Al Jarreau. The trio's recent ECM CD, "Wisteria," takes a fresh look at several pieces heard on Kuhn's orchestral, "Promises Kept," alongside the driving hard bop of "A Likely Story," Swallow's "Dark Glasses," Carla Bley's gospel-tinged "Permanent Wave" and the Brazilian flavored "Romance," by Dori Caymmi.
All seats $40, $10 food/drink minimum

May 1 (Thursday) at 6:00PM
T.K. Blue "A Warm Embrace"
Blujazz Records CD Release Celebration
T.K. Blue (sax/flute)
James Weidman (piano)
Essiet Essiet (bass)
Sylvia Cuenca (drums)
Ron Jackson (guitar)
Roland Guerrero (percussion)
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

May 5 & 12 (Mondays) at 7:00PM
Jazon Graae in "49½ Shades of Graae"

"49½ Shade of Graae" is an evening with ex-Broadway-juvenile-turned-Hollywood-misfit Jason Graae (pronounced Grah, which means Grey in Danish) as he explores the many "shades" of his life and career...from hilarity to tragedy all rolled into one madcap, yet heartfelt romp. Jason features old and new songs that explore his life of sex, drugs and musical comedy. This show is directed by Heather Lee with John Boswell as musical director. Jason Graae is currently featured in the York Theatre Company's production of Inventing Mary Martin, and has starred on Broadway in A Grand Night For Singing, Falsettos, Stardust, Snoopy, and Do Black Patent Leather Shows Really Reflect Up? His Off- Broadway shows include Forever Plaid, Olympus on My Mind, All in the Timing, Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (Drama Desk Nomination-Best Actor in a Musical) and many more. Jason made his Metropolitan Opera House debut as the male vocalist in Twyla Tharp's Everlast with American Ballet Theatre. He has performed his one man show all over the country from Rainbow and Stars and Birdland in NYC to Feinstein's and the Plush Room in L.A. and San Francisco, winning 4 Bistro Awards and a N.Y Nightlife Award, also making TimeOut NY's Top Cabaret shows of the year. His critically acclaimed show with Faith Prince, "The Prince and the Showboy" won a 2nd Nightlife Award for Best Duo.
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

May 6-7 (Tuesday - Wednesday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM
Sheila Jordan
All seats $40, $10 food/drink minimum

May 8-10 (Thursday - Saturday) at 8:30 & 11:00PM
Maria Schneider Orchestra
All seats $45, $10 food/drink minimum

May 11 (Sunday) at 6:00PM
Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano Quartet
"Sunday in New York"
With Sean Smith (bass) and With Vito Lesczak (drums)

Married musical partners Eric & Barbara ("Exhilarating" -- The New York Times) are as entertaining as they are musically savvy. These award-winning artists celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary later this year, so expect LOTS of love songs. On this New York Sunday at Birdland, they'll celebrate Mother's Day and swing into spring with songs of the season by Cole Porter, Joni Mitchell, Benny Carter, Paul Simon and more. Bring your Mama! ERIC COMSTOCK & BARBARA FASANO, whose electrifying combination of warmth, wit, swing and sensuality have made them the nightclub world's most celebrated team, are every bit as entertaining as they are musically savvy. The multiple MAC, Bistro and New York Nightlife Award winners - they were honored with the 2013 MAC award for Major Duo Artists of the Year - are regular performers at New York's most prestigious clubs and concert halls. They were among the last performers to headline at the Algonquin Hotel's legendary Oak Room Supper Club. Their fast-paced and swinging exploration of the Big Apple "HELLUVA TOWN: A NEW YORK SOUNDTRACK" ("Exhilarating" - The New York Times) has had audiences standing and cheering from coast to coast. Although they've been compared to Nick and Nora, Fred and Ginger, and Lunt and Fontanne, the "golden couple's" style is all their own, with a wide choice of material that brings the generations together. Whether the song is by Cole Porter or Paul Simon, Duke Ellington or Joni Mitchell, Comstock and Fasano make it fresh and new, and their audiences feel they've been to a terrific party where the music and the stories have been equally great.
All seats $30, food/drink minimum $10

May 12 (Monday) at 9:15PM
Miss Coco Peru: Have You Heard?

Coco loves to reminisce. In fact, she's very good at it. In Have You Heard? Coco performs some of her favorite monologues and songs spanning her long career, as well as some new stuff too. Whether you've heard all of these stories, or if you're a Coco virgin, come see why Lily Tomlin called Coco "one of the last great storytellers." Experience the trailblazing Queen who elevated drag whilst still wearing sensible heels. Storyteller/monologist Miss Coco Peru aka Clinton Leupp got her/his start as a downtown favorite in the cabaret world of NY after he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in his first show "Miss Coco Peru in My Goddamn Cabaret" over 20 years ago. On screen, Miss Coco is best known for her roles in Jim Fall's feature film, "trick" (Sundance 1999) and Richard Day's "Girls Will Be Girls." (Sundance 2002) For this film Coco shared the Best Actress Award with his two co-stars at the HBO Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen as well as the Best Actor Award at LA's Outfest Film Festival. Other film appearances include "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar," "Nick and Jane," and "Straight-Jacket." Coco can be heard in the Disney animated feature, "The Wild as Mamma Hippo!" She also appears in the highly-ish anticipated sequel of "Girls Will Be Girls," which will be released someday, hopefully. Coco has appeared on TV in two stand-up comedy specials on LOGO: "Wisecrack" and "Dragtastic," "How I Met Your Mother," "Arrested Development," "Twins," "Will and Grace," "New York Undercover," "Detroit 187," several Bravo reality and clip shows, and in an Orbitz commercial that was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award.
All seats $25, food/drink minimum $10

May 13-17 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30 & 11PM
Joey DeFrancesco Organ Quartet
With Special Guest George Coleman

Credited with repopularizing the instrument in the late-1980s, Hammond B3 Organist Joey DeFrancesco got an early career start in a musical family. Following his saxophonist grandfather Joseph and his jazz organist father "Papa" John DeFrancesco, Joey began playing at age four. By age ten he played in a Philadelphia band legendary tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley and "Philly" Joe Jones on drums. At sixteen Joey signed with Columbia Records and released his first record at seventeen. Soon after, he went on tour and/or recorded with Miles Davis, John Mclaughlin, Ray Charles, Bette Midler, David Sanborn, George Benson and many more. He has gone to win numerous Down Beat Critics and Readers polls and has been nominated for two Grammies. Joey currently splits his time between his own quartet and David Sanborn's band.
All seats $40, food/drink minimum $10

May 15 (Thursday) at 6:00PM
Lorin Cohen Quartet

A thrill to watch and sublime to hear, Lorin Cohen is best known for locking down the groove with Monty Alexander, Joe Locke, Guggenheim Fellow Ryan Cohan, and the acclaimed hip-hop-meets-jazz ensemble, Vertikal. While he possesses an expansive palate of expressive devices and techniques, the focus of his playing is always on generating a deep and propulsive groove. This has taken him around the world, allowing him to share his talents with audiences throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean. In addition to those mentioned above, he has collaborated with such jazz luminaries as Lew Tabakin, Victor Lewis, Geoffrey Keezer, Von Freeman and Roni Ben-Hur.
All seats $25, food/drink minimum $10

May 17 (Saturday) at 6:00PM
Jay Leonhart Duo

Combining the skills of an old school entertainer and virtuoso jazz man, bassist, vocalist and composer Jay Leonhart has been a fixture of the New York scene for over forty years. When Jay was fourteen he started playing the bass in The Pier Five Dixieland Jazz Band in Baltimore and never looked back. After studying at The Peabody Institute, Jay attended The Berklee School of Music and The Advanced School of Contemporary Music in Toronto, before leaving school to start touring with the traveling big bands of the late 50's and early 60's. Upon moving to New York, Jay eventually began playing for many of the great jazz musicians, big bands, and singers who were to be found in New York - artists like Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, Tony Bennett, Marian McPartland, and Jim Hall. Jay became a very busy studio musician in New York City, visiting every musical genre from James Taylor to Ozzy Osbourne and Queen Latifah. Between 1975 and 1995 he was named The Most Valuable Bassist in the recording industry three times by the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences. Jay has now recorded 15 solo albums. His first one-man show "The Bass Lesson" is being received warmly by critics and audiences. Jay's next show "Nukular Tulips" is in the works.
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

Broadway at Birdland
May 19 (Monday) at 7:00PM
Michael McCorry Rose and Tiffany Haas in
Cheek to Cheek: A Broadway Romance

Michael McCorry Rose and Tiffany Haas, who sometimes appear opposite each other in the Broadway cast of Wicked as Emerald City's favorite romantic duo: Glinda and Fiyero, present their concert Cheek to Cheek, a fun and flirty evening featuring Broadway love songs. Expect cherished classics from landmark composers: Gershwin to Guettel and everything in between, including songs by some of New York's best new musical theater songwriters. Join us for an enchanted evening of romance on Broadway. Having starred as Glinda "the Good Witch" in the North American Tour of Wicked, Tiffany Haas is currently appearing in the Broadway production as the standby for Glinda. She was previously in the National Tour of The Drowsy Chaperone and has guest performed with numerous symphony orchestras and regional theaters across the country. She can be heard as the voice of "Little Miss Muffet" opposite Mickey Rooney in Rainbow Puppets recording of "Toyland." Originally from Yorktown, Virginia, Tiffany is a graduate of the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she studied opera and musical theater. During her time in Cincinnati she won the title of Miss Ohio and went on to compete in the 2002 Miss America Pageant. Michael McCorry Rose is currently in the Broadway cast of Wicked and has toured nationally and internationally with Wicked, Grease! and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Regionally he has performed with The Papermill Playhouse, The Yale Rep, Project Shaw and Primary Stages. Michael has appeared in concert at the Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center, 54 Below and a little further from home at the Macau International Music Festival in China, The Adelaide Music Festival in Australia and also in Brazil, Kenya and soon: Turks & Caicos. In Los Angeles, Michael performed in the Ovation Award winning production of Miss Saigon and Carol Burnett's directorial debut of Once Upon A Mattress at his alma mater: U.C.L.A.

May 20-24 (Tuesday - Saturday) at 8:30 & 11PM
Karrin Allyson

May 2011 marked a milestone for multiple Grammy nominated singer and pianist Karrin Allyson and Concord Jazz - the release of Round Midnight, the thirteenth album in a series dating back to her 1992 debut album "I Didn't Know About You." THIRTEEN ALBUMS!!! - That's worth shouting about. And that's just what music lovers and critics around the world have been doing - shouting Allyson's name from the rooftops, marveling at the range of this extraordinary musician, who moves with such ease and authority from the Great American Songbook of Gershwin and Porter to the Great American Jazz Songbook of Duke and Thelonius and Miles and Dizzy, jet-setting to Rio and Paris and swinging back home to pick up Bonnie Raitt and Joni Mitchell and Jimmy Webb. What unites this wide world of music - brings it together and makes sense of it all - is Karrin Allyson's warmth and depth. She's not just singing a lyric, she's telling you her story. And then that becomes your story. You hear the music from the inside out.
All seats $40, food/drink minimum $10

May 22 (Thursday) at 6:00PM
Nick Ziobro
"A Lot of Livin' To Do" CD Release Celebration

Debut CD from 17 Year-old Vocal Sensation, Produced by Michael Feinstein featuring Jazz Greats Bucky Pizzarelli, Jay Leonhart, Ray Marchica and more! Nick Ziobro, the 17 year-old pop/jazz vocal sensation, will release his debut album "A Lot of Livin' to Do" on Tuesday, May 20. The new disc, produced by Michael Feinstein -the two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award-nominated vocalist, pianist and musicologist - and available through Titanium Entertainment, will be available in stores and digital outlets such as iTunes and Amazon.com. The album's debut single "This Guy's In Love with You" is now available on iTunes. The dynamic new collection of classic standards from the Great American Songbook and beyond features Nick's sensitive interpretations and invigorating arrangements by Tedd Firth. Nick, who has been hailed as "a budding young talent" by LA Weekly and praised for his "dreamy phrasing and perfect pitch" by Rex Reed in the New York Observer.
All seats $20, food/drink minimum $10

Broadway at Birdland
May 26 (Monday) at 7:00PM
Singer/Songwriter Spencer Day

Spencer Day will be performing original soon-to-be hits from his new CD, "Daybreak." He will also perform some familiar songs from the 60's and 70's like Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots are Made for Walking," Buddy Holly's "Oh Boy," and "A World Without Love" by Peter and Gordon. Spencer Day is a contemporary singer and songwriter, originating from humble beginnings in a small town in Utah. Spencer's early albums were followed more recently by the acclaimed Vagabond in 2009 and The Mystery of You in 2013. A strong jazz musician, his music has evolved with a variety of influences from folk rock's The Association, rockabilly, big bands and Nancy Sinatra. He likes the versatility and flexibility of his music and plans on performing a show that will infuse elements of cabaret, storytelling, and comedy with his piano and vocals.
All seats $25, food/drink minimum $10

May 27-31 (Tuesday - Saturday) at 8:30 & 11PM
Delta Air Lines presents
BOSSABRASIL
Featuring Marcos Valle and Roberto Menescal

It is with great pleasure that Producers Pat Philips & Ettore Stratta, known for their passion for Brazilian music, bring together for the first time in New York two of Brazil's most important pop/jazz composers, MARCOS VALLE/pianist-vocalist and ROBERTO MENESCAL-guitarist. The performance will highlight many of their famous hit songs as well as some gems of JOBIM. They will bring vocalist Patricia Alvi, the great drummer Renato Massa, and Trumpeter Jesse Sadoc, with them from Rio. Joining them will be two other native Brazilians living in the US, Itaguara Brandao on bass and Jorge Continentino on sax and flute. BossaBrasil is an annual event going into its 8th year. MARCOS VALLE, major songwriter of Brazilian Popular Music has written over 300 songs recorded by industry luminaries Sarah Vaughan, Chicago, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Ramsey Lewis, Dave Brubeck Toots Thielemans, Joe Pass, Bebel Gilberro, Sergio Mendes, Eumir Deodato, João Donato, Jay Z ,Kanye West and the list goes on and on. Most recently he recorded on Sony with American jazz singer, STACEY KENT, Celebrating 50 Years of 'The Career of VALLE' with a world tour as well.

He has received a most prestigious award from BMI for his music, SAMBA DE VERAO. ROBERTO MENESCAL, Composer of bossa nova classics VAGAMENTE, RIO, VOCE...is Composer/Producer/guitarist and one of the 'founding fathers of bossa nova'. His best-known composition is "O Barquinho" and he is known for his work with Carlos Lyra, Nara Leao, Wanda Sa and many other important artists. In 2013 he received The LATIN GRAMMY SPECIAL HONOREE AWARD for his great importance and contributions to the great music of Brazil. Together they will make musical history at the legendary Birdland surrounded by other master musicians. The combination of Pop and Bossa Nova with songs by VALLE, MENESCAL and highlighting the great JOBIM as well will bring the best of Brazilian music to the forefront with Valle on keyboards and vocals joined by singer Patricia Alvi, alongside master guitarist Menescal and a band with renowned musicians. It's Bossabrasil at its best.
All seats $40, food/drink minimum $10

Birdland will also feature the following recurring monthly engagements:

May 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 (Fridays) at 5:15PM
The Birdland Big Band
With Guest Conductor Rob Middleton

Founded by drummer and musical director Tommy Igoe, the Birdland Big Band features the finest musicians in New York! The BBB roars into action every Friday, playing the finest Jazz, Latin and Brazilian music from the world's best arrangers. After work or before a show, drinks or a great dinner, come hear one of the world's best drummers driving the hardest swinging band in New York. Experience why the BBB is the must-see weekly jazz event in New York and kick off your weekend with what critics are calling "the best live music bargain in all of NYC!"
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

May 3, 24 & 31 (Saturdays) at 6:00PM
Barbara Carroll

Her "jazz pianism is the subtlest and most intricate New York has to offer." (New Yorker) Barbara Carroll's inventive piano playing and unique vocal sound transforms any composition into something hip and urbane. In a sixty-year career she has gone from being dubbed "the first girl ever to play bebop piano" by Leonard Feather in 1947, to today being dubbed a "singer who turns song lyrics into personal dramatic monologues." (Stephen Holden, New York Times)
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

May 4, 18, & 25 (Sundays) at 6:00PM
The Birdland Jazz Party
Featuring Hilary Gardner (5/4), Gabrielle Stravelli (5/18), Charles Turner (5/25)
Birdland's very own jazz quartet hits the stage every Sunday to wrap up the weekend with jazz classics.

May 4, 11, 18, & 25 (Sundays) at 9:00PM & 11PM
Arturo O'Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

Grammy Award winning pianist, composer and educator Arturo O'Farrill -- leader of the "first family of Afro-Cuban Jazz" (NY Times) -- was born in Mexico and grew up in New York City. Son of the late, great composer Chico O'Farrill, Arturo was Educated at Manhattan School of Music, Brooklyn College Conservatory and the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. He played piano in Carla Bley's Big Band from 1979 through 1983 and earned a reputation as a soloist in groups led by Dizzy Gillespie, Steve Turre, Freddy Cole, Lester Bowie, Wynton Marsalis and Harry Belafonte.
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

May 5, 19, & 26 (Mondays) at 9:30PM
Jim Caruso's Cast Party

Jim Caruso's Cast Party is a wildly popular weekly soiree that brings a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night. It's a cool cabaret night-out enlivened by a hilariously impromptu variety show. Showbiz superstars, backed by Steve Doyle on bass, Tedd Firth on piano and Daniel Glass on drums, hit the stage alongside up-and-comers, serving up jaw-dropping music and general razzle-dazzle.
All tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum

May 7, 14, 21, & 28 (Wednesdays) at 5:30PM
David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band

Inspired by the noble jazz pioneers Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton and their colleagues, David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band breathes life and passion into America's own great art form. Now in its 14th year of residency at Birdland, the weekly post-workday engagement is the city's best musical bargain! Tuba player David Ostwald leads a rotating lineup that features talents such as clarinetist Anat Cohen, trombonist/vocalist Wycliffe Gordon, pianist Ehud Asherie, drummer Marion Felder and more!
All seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum

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