James Snyder, Dave Liebman Band & More Set for Birdland, Week of 9/29

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for September 29 - October 5, featuring Dave Liebman Big Band, If/Then's James Snyder, Kurt Elling, Jay Leonhart Duo, and more!

Sept 29 (Monday) at 7:00PM
If/Then's James Snyder
"Fate, Reasons and Other Friends"

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce If/Then leading man James Snyder will be performing his one-man show, Fate, Reasons and Other Friends on the historic stage Monday, September 29 at 7pm. In Fate, Reasons and Other Friends, James shares his victories, defeats and a few things in between. From his time on Broadway as the title role in the ill-fated Cry-Baby, and as a solo recording artist with Lionsgate Records...from Carousel to Bare, from Fanny to Elvis, he will take his audience through the soundtrack of his career.? After a busy career on TV, James Snyder made his Broadway debut in Cry-Baby, appeared in Rock of Ages in Los Angeles and played Billy Bigelow in Carousel at Goodspeed Opera House. This past season, he returned to Broadway opposite Idina Menzel in If/Then.
All seats $30-40, $10 food/drink minimum

Sept 29 (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 seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum

Sept 30-Oct 1 (Tuesday-Wednesday) at 8:30PM & 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 followup Live: As Always (Mama Records) have received critical acclaim. What makes the music interesting beyond the stellar performances is that each arrangment 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 seats $40, $10 food/drink minimum

Oct 1 (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 seats $25, $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 seats $45, $10 food/drink minimum

Oct 3 (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! 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 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 seats $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

Oct 5 (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 seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

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