Cast of BRIGHT STAR, Yellowjackets & More Set for Birdland, Week of 4/18

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for April 18-24, featuring Yellowjackets, Bright Star Sings Jeff Blumenkrantz, Arturo O'Farrill, and more!

April 18 (Monday) at 7PM
The Cast of Bright Star Sings Jeff Blumenkrantz

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that Tony-nominated composer Jeff Blumenkrantz, currently appearing as "Daryl" in the new Steve Martin/Edie Brickell Broadway musical Bright Star, will be joined by cast mates who will sing his original songs, including Carmen Cusack (Carrie, South Pacific), Dee Hoty (Gigi, Footloose, City of Angels, Will Rogers Follies), Emily Padgett (Side Show, Rock of Ages), Hannah Elless, Paul Alexander Nolan, A. J. Shively, Maddie Shea Baldwin, Allison Briner-Dardenne, Max Chernin, Richard Gatta, Lizzie Klemperer, Williams Michals, Tony Roach, Bill Youmans and a very special appearance by Bright Star co-writer Edie Brickell. In addition to contributing songs to Urban Cowboy, the musical, Jeff is the recipient of the 2011 Fred Ebb Award, as well as commissions from Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Guggenheim. His songs have been recorded by Audra McDonald, Sutton Foster, Rebecca Luker, Victoria Clark, and Alysha Umphress, among others. Bright Star is currently playing at Broadway's Cort Theatre. In addition to contributing songs to Urban Cowboy, the musical, Jeff is the recipient of the 2011 Fred Ebb Award, as well as commissions from Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Guggenheim. His songs have been recorded by Audra McDonald, Sutton Foster, Rebecca Luker, Victoria Clark, and Alysha Umphress, among others. Bright Star is currently playing at Broadway's Cort Theatre.

All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

April 18 (Monday) 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, Billy Stritch 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

April 19-23 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM and 11PM
Yellowjackets

Celebrating 30 years together, the quintessential electric jazz group Yellowjackets released their 21st recording and Mack Avenue Records label debut "Timeline" to critical acclaim and two Grammy nominations for "Best Jazz Instrumental Album" and "Best Instrumental Composition" for the Russell Ferrante penned title track. Led by founding member, keyboardist and primary composer Russell Ferrante, Yellowjackets continue to practice their signature brand of high energy rhythm and improvisational group chemistry. Also featuring drummer (since 1986) William Kennedy, saxophonist (since 1991) Bob Mintzer and recent addition, bassist Felix Pastorius (son of the late electric bass pioneer Jaco Pastorius) who is filling in for founding member Jimmy Haslip during a touring hiatus.

All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum

April 20 (Wednesday) 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 tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum

April 21 (Thursday) at 6PM
Tom Tallitsch

Tom Tallitsch is a critically acclaimed tenor saxophonist, composer and recording ?a?rtist.

All tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum

April 22 (Friday) 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! Coming up on 10 years at the club, 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 tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum

April 23 (Saturday) at 6:00PM
Barbara Carroll

Barbara is an elegant jazz pianist, composer and vocalist, long recognized as one of the premier players of swinging jazz piano and expressive vocals.

All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

April 24 (Sunday) at 6:00PM
The Matt & Brian Show
Featuring Matt Cusson & Brian Gallagher
With Special Guests Megan Hilty, Celisse Henderson & Carly Hughes

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that The Matt & Brian Show, starring singer/songwriters Matt Cusson and Brian Gallagher, will appear on the historic stage on Sunday, April 24 at 6pm. Very special musical guests will include Megan Hilty, Celisse Henderson and Carly Hughes. Critically acclaimed singer/songwriters, Matt Cusson and Brian Gallagher, will bring their popular downtown show to Birdland. Backed by an incredible band, the duo will take turns performing their most popular songs, in addition to songs written by artists they both consider "way way way way way more talented" than they. They'll also feature several special guests, all of whom they consider "way way way way way more talented" than they. Expect a night of laughter and incredible music!

All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

April 24 (Sunday) at 9PM & 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 tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

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