Chita Rivera, Barbara Carroll & More Set for Birdland in October

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its October 2014 schedule, featuring Chita Rivera, Dave Leibman Big Band, Miss Coco Peru, Benny Green Trio, Kenny Baron and Dave Holland, Barbara Carroll, Ron Carter Nonet, Jane Monheit's Jazz Party, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more.

Sept 30 - Oct 1 (Tuesday-Wednesday) at 8:30 & 11:00PM
Dave Liebman Big Band

The New York-based David Liebman Big Band (DLBB) under the direction of saxophonist Gunnar Mossblad is made up of some of New York's most experienced and creative jazz musicians - performers who are recording artists in their own right. The DLBB features original compositions by Liebman, covering his various periods of his forty-plus year career. The arrangements by such well-known artists such as Vince Mendoza and Jim McNeely feature Lieb out front on soprano sax. Both the first recording Beyond the Line (Omnitone) and the follow-up Live: As Always (Mama Records) have received critical acclaim. What makes the music interesting beyond the stellar performances is that each arrangement is by a different musician, setting the stage for interesting contrasts between selections, all reflecting the grand scale of Lieb's eclectic tastes and skills. The DLBB breaks the bonds of traditional big-band sounds.
All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum

Oct 2-4 (Thursday-Saturday) at 8:30 & 11:00PM
Kurt Elling

GRAMMY winner Kurt Elling is among the world's foremost jazz vocalists. He has won every DownBeat Critics Poll for the last fourteen years and has been named "Male Singer of the Year" by the Jazz Journalists Association eight times in that same span. In addition, every one of Elling's ten albums has been nominated for a GRAMMY. Kurt has toured vigorously throughout his career, thrilling audiences throughout the world. In that time he has led his own ensemble and has collaborated with many of the world's finest orchestras.
All tickets $45.00, $10 food/drink minimum

Oct 4 (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 tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

Oct 5 (Sunday) at 6:00PM
Hilary Gardner CD Release

Acclaimed singer Hilary Gardner grew up in Wasilla, Alaska infatuated with New York City. The city came to life through the jazz and American songbook albums in her parents' record collection. Hilary made her Broadway debut in 2010. Her stunning recording debut, The Great City, is part love letter, part lament to New York and the big dreams it represents.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

October 6 (Monday) at 7PM
Christine Pedi "Good to Mama"
Featuring Jazz Guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli

The Broadway at Birdland series is proud to announce that Christine Pedi will celebrate the release of her first studio CD, "Good To Mama," with a concert at Birdland. The event will take place on Monday, October 6 at 7pm.

Musical theatre & Sirius radio personality Christine Pedi celebrates the release of her first studio cd with her friends at Birdland. Included in the show will be songs by the Gershwins, Frank Loesser, Bock & Harnick, Rodgers & Hart, Irving Berlin, Kander & Ebb and more. Matthew Martin Ward will be musical director for the concert.
All seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum

October 7-11 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM
CHITA'S BACK!
Chita Rivera Returns to Birdland For An Exclusive One Week Engagement

Birdland has announced the return of Broadway icon Chita Rivera in Chita's Back! during the week of October 7 - 11, 2014.

In the intimate setting of Birdland, CHITA'S BACK will feature Ms. Rivera performing some of her favorite songs, a special tribute to her dear friends John Kander and Fred Ebb, as well as recreating signature moments from her legendary career. She will be accompanied by her long-time musical director Michael Croiter, associate music director/pianist Michael Patrick Walker and Jim Donica on bass.

Universally regarded as an American national treasure, Chita Rivera is one of Broadway's greatest triple-threat talents. A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom as well as the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor (the first Hispanic woman ever chosen to receive this award), she has won two Tony Awards as Best Leading Actress in a Musical and received seven additional Tony nominations. It was her electric performance as Anita in the Broadway premiere of West Side Story which brought her stardom. She is well known for her starring roles in the original Broadway productions of Bye Bye Birdie, Chicago, The Rink, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Dancer's Life, and the revivals of Nine and The Mystery of Edwin Drood, among many others.
All seats $40-50, $10 food/drink minimum

October 7, 8, 9 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) at 11PM (new time)
Miss Coco Peru: "Have You Heard?"

After a sold-out appearance last spring, the Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce return of Miss Coco Peru in 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.
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

Oct 11, 18, 25 (Saturdays) 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 seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

Oct 12 (Sunday) at 6:00PM
The Birdland Jazz Party
Featuring Vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli

Award-winning vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal following through her unique take on material from the new American songbook as well as classic standards by artists as varied as Pink Floyd and Duke Ellington, Dolly Parton and Johnny Mercer. A trained actor, Gabrielle has a soulful sensitivity for the story in the lyric and was called "a powerhouse of individual expression" by David Finkle of The Village Voice.
All tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum

October 13 (Monday) at 7PM
Jenna Esposito & The City Rythym Orchestra
"That's Amore: Jenna Sings Love, Italian Style"

The Broadway at Birdland concert series will welcome back acclaimed vocalist Jenna Espositofor a special Columbus Day salute to some of the most celebrated Italian-American singers in the history of American popular song! In this exciting, fun-packed show, Jenna will sing the songs of Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Connie Francis, and Frank Sinatra, among others. Songs will range from "Steppin' Out With My Baby" to "All The Way," "That's Amore," and "Mambo Italiano."The show also features the world-renowned City Rhythm Orchestra, which calls Philadelphia its home. The program is inspired by Mark Rotella's book"Amore - The Story of Italian American Song," and author Rotella will be on hand to introduce the show.
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

Oct 14-18 (Tuesday - Saturday) at 8:30 & 11:00PM
Benny Green Trio

Benny Green possesses the history of jazz at his fingertips. Combine mastery of keyboard technique with decades of real world experience playing with no one less than the most celebrated artists of the last half century, and it's no wonder Green has been hailed as perhaps the most exciting hard-swinging, hard-bop pianist to ever emerge from Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.
All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum

Oct 16 (Thursday) at 6:00PM
Ron Jackson: Solo Guitar

Ron Jackson is a New York based jazz guitarist, composer, arranger, producer, recording artist, and instructor. To say Ron Jackson is well traveled would be an understatement. He has performed and recorded in over 20 countries as a bandleader and ensemble performer, and is well established in the international jazz scene. Ron's style of guitar playing and compositions is a blend of jazz, and other American styles such as soul, rhythm and blues, pop that is influenced by his roots of the Philippines.

Ron is considered one of the most versatile guitarists in the New York music scene and is adept in styles such as African, Rock, R&B, Brazilian, Pop, Country, Calypso, Reggae, Soul and Funk, Classical, but his greatest passion is in jazz. Ron has 5 jazz guitar instrumental CDs as a leader, "A Guitar Thing" and "Thinking of You" on Muse Records, "Song For Luis" - a duo with Rufus Reid on Mastermix Records, "Concrete Jungle" is co-led with bassist Nicki Parrott on Airmen Records and "The Dream I Had" is on Roni Music.
All tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum

October 20 (Monday) at 7PM
Composer Lance Horne Returns to Birdland in
"Lance & the Ladies"

Composer-lyricist Lance Horne has performed alongside, composed, and/or provided arrangements for Alan Cumming, Kristin Chenoweth, Ricki Lake, Cheyenne Jackson, Kelli O'Hara, Jake Shears, Meow Meow, Justin Bond, Sandra Bernhard, Amanda Palmer/Dresden Dolls, Boston Pops, just to name a few. He received an Emmy for Best Original Song (Daytime: One Life to Live), the Jonathan Larson Award for composer-lyricist, a Bistro Award for producing Alan Cumming's album, I Bought a Blue Car Today, ASCAP Young Composer Awards, the ASCAP Foundation Jamie DeRoy Award for Emerging Songwriter, Interlochen Ovation Award, and is a Usual Suspect at NYTW.

Musicals in development include The $trip and Amandine, contributing material to The Etiquette of Death at LaMama, a marionette show for Macy's and a live event for Sydney Mardi Gras.
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

Oct 21-25 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM
Kenny Barron & Dave Holland

Honored by The National Endowment for the Arts as a 2010 Jazz Master, Kenny Barron has an unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with his elegant playing, sensitive melodies and infectious rhythms. The Los Angeles Times named him "one of the top jazz pianists in the world" and Jazz Weekly calls him "The most lyrical piano player of our time."

Since Holland's professional debut in the mid-1960s, that voice has been heard in a remarkable number of different contexts. From the electric whirlwind of Miles Davis' Bitches Brew-era band to the elegant flamenco of his collaboration with Spanish guitar legend Pepe Habichuela; accompanying the great vocalist Betty Carter in her last years to forging a new sound with the pioneering avant-garde quartet Circle alongside Chick Corea, Anthony Braxton, and Barry Altschul; standing alongside legends like Stan Getz, Hank Jones, Roy Haynes, and Sam Rivers to providing early opportunities to now-leading players like Chris Potter, Kevin and Robin Eubanks, or Steve Coleman; Dave Holland has been at the forefront of jazz in many of its forms since his earliest days.
All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum

Oct 23 (Thursday) at 6:00PM
Diane Marino Quartet

When you combine an accomplished vocalist, pianist, and arranger all in one individual, you have the dynamic Diane Marino. Diane was born in Manhattan, NYC. She started her early piano training of classical studies and jazz improvisation from the age of 10. Diane graduated from NYC'S 'Famed' High School for the Performing Arts and later received her B.M. degree from Mannes College of Music in Manhattan as a piano performance major where she studied piano with world-renowned concert pianist Murray Perahia.
All seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum

Oct 26 (Sunday) at 6:00PM
Jane Monheit's Jazz Party
With Michael Kanan, Neal Miner, Rick Montalbano

In just over fifteen years, critically acclaimed jazz vocalist Jane Monheit's honey-smooth vocals, silky phrasing and natural knack for storytelling have earned her two Grammy nominations and established her as one of her generation's most beloved and accomplished vocalists. Jane's sincere and romantic interpretations of exceptional songs has made her a favorite in both the jazz and cabaret worlds. Jane's jazz party features special guests each week and clever reinventions of familiar jazz songs that are sure to please.
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

October 27 (Monday) at 7PM
Trevor McQueen Makes Birdland Debut

The Broadway at Birdland series is proud to present singer Trevor McQueen, who will make his Birdland concert debut with a big band at the historic music room on Monday, October 27 at 7pm.

Trevor McQueen will bring a soulful vocal sensibility to favorites by Stevie Wonder, Rodgers & Hart, Stephen Sondheim, and original material, arranged for big band. Musical direction and arrangements will be by Angelo Di Loreto and Bryan Carter.

Trevor McQueen is a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. He made his Broadway debut as Little Jake in the revival of Annie Get Your Gun. Trevor's love of music began at a very young age, while listening to Benny Goodman records in his neighbor's living room. He had the privilege of experiencing Pittsburgh's tremendous music scene while studying at university, playing with some of the city's most talented emerging and established musicians. Trevor has been consistently featured at Jazz at Andys at the Fairmont Pittsburgh for the past two years, headlining with such greats as legendary drummer Roger Humphries.
All seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum

Oct 28 - Nov 1 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM
Ron Carter Nonet

Ron Carter is among the most original, prolific, and influential bassists in jazz. With more than 2,000 albums to his credit, he has recorded with many of music's greats: Tommy Flanagan, Gil Evans, Lena Horne, Bill Evans, B.B. King, the Kronos Quartet, Dexter Gordon, Wes Montgomery, and Bobby Timmons. In the early 1960s he performed throughout the United States in concert halls and nightclubs with Jaki Byard and Eric Dolphy.

Carter has lectured, conducted, and performed at clinics and master classes, instructing jazz ensembles and teaching the business of music at numerous universities. He was Artistic Director of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Studies while it was located in Boston and, after 18 years on the faculty of the Music Department of The City College of New York, he is now Distinguished Professor Emeritus although, as a performer, he remains as active as ever.
All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum

Birdland will also feature the following recurring monthly engagements:

Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (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

Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (Fridays) at 5:00PM
The Birdland Big Band

With Guest Conductor Rob MiddletonFounded 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

Oct 5, 12, 19, 26(Sundays) 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 seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

Oct 6, 13, 20, 27 (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 Billy Stritch on piano, Steve Doyle on bass and Daniel Glass on drums, hit the stage alongside up-and-comers, serving up jaw-dropping music and general razzle-dazzle.
All seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum

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