Birdland Jazz Club has announced its August 2017 lineup, featuring The Birdland Big Band, John Pizzarelli, Borislav Strulev, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, Benny Green Trio, Michelle Lordi, Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Scroll down for details!
Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with the following acts:
August 1-5 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM and 11:00PM
The Birdland Big Band
Founded by drummer and musical director Tommy Igoe, the Birdland Big Band features the finest musicians in New York! Celebrating 10 years at the club, the BBB roars into action 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
August 5 (Saturday) at 6:00PM
Hailed as "the truest heir to Bobby Short" in The New York Times, pianist/singer Eric Comstock returns to Birdland with star bassist/composer Sean Smith with songs by everyone from George Gershwin to George Harrison. These two masters met on the Off-Broadway hit OUR SINATRA (which Eric co-wrote), and have since worked separately and together around the world. Join them at Birdland for a cool spring party where the music and stories are equally great.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 6 (Sunday) at 6:00PM
Tom Tallitsch
Tom Tallitsch is a critically acclaimed tenor saxophonist, composer and recording artist. He will be joined by Josh Lawrence on the trumpet, Jon David on piano, Peter Brendler on bass and Vinnie Sperrazza on drums.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 7 (Monday) at 7:00PM
The Beverly Bombshells
The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that The Beverly Bombshells will make their New York debut on the stage of the historic room. The Beverly Bombshells (Tiffany Dissette, Heather Lundstedt O'Neill and Leah Sprecher) were created in 2016 by three ladies and one fella looking to bring the musicality, sentiments and novelty of vintage female trio acts to modern audiences today. By blending Top 40 hits with the tight harmonies made famous by the Andrews Sisters, they bridge the gap between old and new, bringing joy to both young and more seasoned audiences. All of their arrangements are completely original and present songs you've heard a million times on the radio in a brand new way. Their swinging band will include Jordan Lamoureux on bass and David Lamoureux on drums.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 8-August 12 (Tuesday-Sunday) at 8:30PM and 11:00PM
John Pizzarelli
Birdland favorite John Pizzarelli unveils his Guitar/Vocal, Piano, Bass trio. Reminiscent of the swinging sounds and configuration favored by Nat "King" Cole in the 1950s and 60s. John Pizzarelli charms audiences with his warmth, sense of humor, and musical chops. Through his multi-faceted career as a jazz guitarist, vocalist and bandleader, the son of the legendary New Jersey native guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, has become one of the most recognizable faces and voices in contemporary jazz for his interpretations of classic standards, romantic ballads and the cool jazz flavor he brings to his performances and recordings.
All tickets $50, $10 food/drink minimum
August 10 (Thursday) at 6:00PM
Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist Laila Biali takes the best of pop, rock, classical, world and soul, informs it with her expertise in jazz, and weaves it into her musical arrangements and original songs. Laila is currently working on her second studio album of original music, expanding on her unique "ability to meld traditional jazz with contemporary pop so effortlessly that neither style seems out of place on the same record."
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 14 (Monday) at 7:00PM
Daniel Reichard In "Mr. Blue Sky"
The Broadway at Birdland concert series is excited to welcome back Daniel Reichard for his new summertime club act, "Mr. Blue Sky." The program will draw from the catalogues of artists such as Ray Charles, Adele, Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Paul Simon. Fans of Broadway music will also get to enjoy Reichard's signature renditions of songs by composers including Leonard Bernstein and Henry Mancini.
All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum
August 15-19 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM and 11:00PM
The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra Directed by Scotty Barnhart
William J. "Count" Basie developed one of the greatest jazz groups in history. Under Basie's leadership - with a strong commitment to making sure every tune was danceable - The Count Basie Orchestra featured many of the greatest instrumentalists and vocalists in jazz including Billie Holiday, Lester Young, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Joe Jones, Joe Williams, Snooky Young, Frank Foster, Thad Jones, Frank Wess, Clark Terry, and many more. The Count Basie Orchestra is traveling the world, swinging and shouting the blues with precision, in Count Basie's unmistakable style of Kansas City swing.
All tickets $50, $10 food/drink minimum
August 20 (Sunday) at 6:00PM
Borislav Strulev
World-renowned cellist Borislav Strulev has been fascinating audiences on some of the world's most prestigious stages since his U.S. debut at the Kennedy Center in 1993 arranged on initiative of Isaac Stern, Former World Bank President James Wolfensohn and Byron Janis.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 21 (Monday) at 7:00PM
Show Biz After Hours With Frank DiLella
The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that NY1 theater journalist Frank DiLella will return to the Birdland stage with the fourteenth episode of his talk show, "Show Biz After Hours With Frank DiLella." The regular theater-based live talk show features Broadway movers-and-shakers, impromptu musical performances, audience interaction, and a cocktail or two!
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 22-26 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM and 11:00PM
Benny Green Trio
Inspired by his saxophonist father, Berkeley California native pianist Benny Green embraced jazz at an early age. In his early 20's he toured with jazz legends BetTy Carter, Freddie Hubbard, Art Blakey, and Ray Brown before signing a recording contract with Blue Note Records. A few years later he became a protege of pianist Oscar Peterson, recording "Oscar & Benny" for Telarc Records. As a leader Benny's groups have performed in all the major clubs, festivals and concert halls around the world. His most recent recordings, "Happiness" (2017) and "Live in Santa Cruz" (2015) are a return to the kind of swinging straight ahead jazz piano trio playing of which he is now an acknowledged master.
All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum
August 24 (Thursday) at 6:00PM
An Evening with Michelle Lordi
Combining unique clarity and grace with subtle emotional depth and eclectic tastes, Philadelphia-based vocalist Michelle Lordi sings impeccably curated standards that span three generations of heartfelt love songs. Michelle's passion for storytelling through song is clear in her engaging performances. Her profound love of the music she chooses to sing and sublime musicians she creates with is evident in every note of her vividly expressive and elegantly communicative voice. Her band includes Michael Kanan on piano, Matthew Parrish on bass, Bill Avayou on drums and Larry McKenna on tenor sax.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 26 (Saturday) at 6:00PM
Hailed as "the truest heir to Bobby Short" in The New York Times, pianist/singer Eric Comstock returns to Birdland with star bassist/composer Sean Smith with songs by everyone from George Gershwin to George Harrison. These two masters met on the Off-Broadway hit OUR SINATRA (which Eric co-wrote), and have since worked separately and together around the world. Join them at Birdland for a cool spring party where the music and stories are equally great.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 27 (Sunday) at 6:00PM
Lorin Cohen
A thrill to watch and sublime to hear, Lorin Cohen has distinguished himself as one of the most exciting and dynamic musicians on the scene today. His imaginative, joyous and singular work as a bassist and composer has resonated with audiences throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Cohen's musical experiences are not limited to the world of Jazz. Equally adept on the bass guitar, he has been a substitute bassist for the Chicago run of the Tony award winning musical Jersey Boys from 2008-10 and for the Broadway production of Motown: The Musical. His thumping bass guitar grooves, original songs and production drive the R&B/Jazz/Hip-hop band Vertikal.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 28 (Monday) at 7:00PM
Natalie Douglas Tribute to Linda Ronstadt
The Broadway at Birdland concert series is happy to announce that Natalie Douglas, the acclaimed vocalist, will return to her home perch at Birdland Jazz Club with a new monthly residency entitled "Tributes." With Music Directors Mark Hartman and Brian Nash, and her band of all-star musicians, Natalie will celebrate the artistry, brilliance & singular achievements of Linda Ronstadt.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 29-September 2 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM and 11:00PM
Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration Featuring Vincent Herring, Greg Osby, Jeremy Pelt, Helen Sung, Lonnie Plaxico, and Billy Drummond
Born August 29th, 1920, Charlie "Bird" Parker was one of the most influential and iconic artists in jazz history. Since his death in 1955 at age 34 Bird has inspired every subsequent generation of jazz artist and left a rich legacy of distinctive compositions and signature melodic vocabulary that still informs every style of jazz. For his celebration Birdland presents a group of jazz all-stars who can move seamlessly between classic and contemporary Bird-inspired material: Vincent Herring and Greg Osby on alto sax, Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, Helen Sung on piano, Lonnie Plaxico on bass and Billy Drummond on drums.
All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum
Birdland will also feature the following recurring monthly engagements:
August 6, 13, 20, 27 (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 tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum
August 7, 14, 21, 28 (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, 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 $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (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 tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 4, 11, 18, 25 (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! Celebrating 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 $30, $10 food/drink minimum
Purchase tickets at www.BirdlandJazz.com, or for more information and reservations call 212-581-3080. Ticket prices will vary by performer. At the tables, there is a $10 food/drink minimum per person in addition to the music charge. At the bar, the music charge will include one complimentary drink with no additional minimum.
Named for alto saxophonist and jazz pioneer Charlie "Bird" Parker who dubbed it "The Jazz Corner of the World," Birdland opened on December 15th 1949. For 60 years it has been home to jazz legends, from Parker, John Coltrane Duke Ellington and Count Basie to Oscar Peterson, Hank Jones, Diana Krall and everyone in between. The original 52nd street location was a cultural barometer and meeting place, inspiring the songs "Birdland" and "Lullaby of Birdland," and serving as a regular haunt for celebrities and cultural figures. The modern incarnation is a state of the art nightclub featuring award winning Southern and Cajun cuisine, first rate sound and lighting and a who's who of contemporary musical artists, 7 nights a week.
Birdland is located at 315 West 44th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues), New York, NY 10036. Students (with current ID) & Broadway Theatre-Goers (with Broadway ticket stub from same day of performance): 50% off music charge at 11PM shows only. Birdland serves American Fare with a Cajun Flair nightly from 5PM until Midnight and until 1AM on Friday and Saturdays. Parking is available across the street at 332 West 44th Street. Concert Grand Piano By: Yamaha.
For more information, visit www.BirdlandJazz.com, or follow BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB on Twitter: @birdlandjazz, Facebook, Instagram, and on Pinterest.
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