Jim Caruso's Cast Party Celebrates the Tonys, Frank Wildhorn and More Set for Birdland, June 2014

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its great line-up of amazing talent for the month of June 2014, featuring Freddy Cole, Stacey Kent, Ravi Coltrane Quartet, Tierney Sutton Quartet, Native Soul, Lorna Luft, Jane Monheit, Jim Caruso's Cast Party Celebrates the Tony Awards, and more!

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with the following acts:

June 2 (Monday) at 7:00PM

JANE MONHEIT SINGS IRVING BERLIN

ARRANGEMENTS BY MARY ANN McSWEENEY

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that jazz vocalist Jane Monheit will be performing a concert of Irving Berlin material with an extraordinary trio, led by arranger/bass player Mary Ann McSweeney. Teaming up for a third time with a dynamic band and vocal accompanists, gifted jazz vocalist Jane Monheit will sing an upbeat portfolio of Irving Berlin classics to new arrangements by bassist Mary Ann McSweeney. After two successful gigs performing the swinging version of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes" this is just another opportunity to delve into the amazing compositions of Irving Berlin with a twist. Monheit's stellar backup band for the evening will be Mary Ann McSweeney (bassist, arranger), Jim Ridl (pianist), and Alvester Garnett (drums). Grammy Award-nominated Jane Monheit has been a leading light in both the jazz and cabaret worlds since emerging as a finalist in the Thelonious Monk Institute's 1998 vocal competition. In addition to her own recordings, she has worked alongside the likes of Terence Blanchard, Tom Harrell, and Ivan Lins. Monheit is touring in support of her album The Heart of the Matter, which she says is an especially satisfying collaboration with Grammy Award-winning producer Gil Goldstein, who has previously worked with such giants as Wayne Shorter, Gil Evans, and Pat Metheny. The pair first joined forces for part of Monheit's 2009 album The Lovers, The Dreamers, and Me.

$40 cover, $10 food/drink minimum

June 2 (Monday) at 9:30PM

Jim Caruso's Cast Party Celebrates Tony Awards!

Jim Caruso's Cast Party will be hosting a special celebration in honor of the 2014 Tony Awards. Come hear your favorite Tony nominees sing their beloved tunes along with Cast Party's fabulous regulars. 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

June 3-7 (Tuesday - Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11PM

Freddy Cole

"Freddy has an impeccable sense of swing... he is, overall, the most maturely expressive male jazz singer of his generation, if not the best alive." (The New York Times) Freddy Cole doesn't apologize for sounding like his brother, Nat "King" Cole. There are certain unmistakable similarities. He plays piano, sings and performs live with guitar and upright bass, just like Nat. Yet his voice is raspier, smokier, jazzier even. But he has emerged from the great shadow cast by his elder brother. In truth, his phrasing is far closer to that of Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday than that of his brother and his timing swings a little more. His vocals - suave, elegant, formidable, and articulate - are among the most respected in jazz. Cole's career continues to ascend as he has moved into the front ranks of America's homegrown art form with a style and musical sophistication all his own.

All seats $40, $10 food/drink minimum

June 5 (Thursday) at 6:00PM

Rob Silverman Quartet

Pianist, trumpeter, and composer Robert Silverman has been a fixture on the New York jazz scene since 1985. After playing with Albert King, Jimmy Heath, George Russell, Cecil McBee, and the Ron Levy Bluesman band, he went on to form his own ensemble featuring original compositions, the blues, and standards. Silverman has been featured in New York on NBC TV, WKCR, WBAI, and WNYC Radio's Around New York. He is the recipient of two Meet the Composer grants and has written music for Thomas Stacy, principal English Horn of the New York Philharmonic.

All seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum

June 7 (Saturday) at 5:00PM

LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO 'ROUND

A Benefit Concert for ZANI'S FURRY FRIENDS

All seats $15-30

June 9 (Monday) at 7:00PM and 10:30PM

Lorna Luft in "Accentuate the Positive"

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce the return of Lorna Luft to the stage. In October 2013, Lorna hosted a record breaking two-night benefit concert for the Actors Fund, "Lorna's Pink Party," which raised over $150,000 for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and cancer research charities. Lorna was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in Dec 2012. After treatment she is cancer-free and ecstatic to be bringing "Accentuate the Positive" to Birdland! "Accentuate the Positive" will include many beloved standards, and in a special section, will pay tribute to Johnny Mercer, who has been called "America's poet," and was a close family friend. Mercer, who won 4 Academy Awards, also wrote the lyrics to Judy Garland's television theme song. The song became "Lorna," which Judy Garland sang to her daughter on her television show.

$30/$40 cover, $10 food/drink minimum

June 10-14 (Tuesday - Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11PM

Stacey Kent

It is not easy to account for Stacey's success and she herself remains characteristically coy. What is sure is that Stacey has a voice that grabs you. It demands to be listened to and yet never draws attention to itself. As her collaborator, Ishiguro put it in his liner notes to her 2002 album, IN LOVE AGAIN, "In song after song, we find a route to the emotional heart of the music without first having to admire her technique." Stacey's natural and unaffected delivery allows the craft of the songwriters, whose work she performs, to shine through. She has an appeal that transcends category.

All seats $40-45, $10 food/drink minimum

June 16 (Monday) at 7:00PM

"The Ensemblist" Live

With Nikka Graff Lanzarone and Mo Brady

With Guests Christopher Gattelli, Ariana Debose, Rachel Bay Jones, Alysha Umphress, Daniel Watts, & The Skivvies

The Ensemblist, the only podcast that shows you Broadway from the inside out, comes to the legendary Birdland Jazz Club to celebrate its first anniversary with a special live show! Hosts Mo Brady and Nikka Graff Lanzarone have invited some of their favorite Broadway performers to the stage to celebrate their ensemblist experiences. Not only will each guest be interviewed live, they'll strut their stuff with special performances as well!

$25 cover, $10 food/drink minimum

June 17-21 (Tuesday - Saturday) at 8:30 & 11:00PM

Ravi Coltrane Quartet

He may bear the name of jazz royalty, but saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, the son of the legendary John Coltrane and pianist Alice Coltrane, "blows an original and distinctly modern strain of jazz, distilling but never seeking to imitate his family's adventurous improvising spirits." (NPR) His latest Blue Note Records CD, "Spirit Fiction," produced by label mate and fellow saxophonist Joe Lovano featured, "...an abundance of emotion and sensual detail, most of it expressed gently, with the confidence -- and authority -- of a veteran bandleader."

All seats $40, $10 food/drink minimum

June 23 (Monday) at 7:00PM

AMANDA GREEN'S TRUNK SHOW

Returns to Birdland

Songwriter Amanda Green and her friends, Ariana Debose (Motown, Bring it On), Jenn Colella (If/Then), Jay Armstrong Johnson (Hands On A Hardbody, Hair), Janet Krupin (If/Then, Bring It On), Kathleen Monteleone (Hands On A Hardbody, Tales of the City) and singer/songwriter Greg Naughton return to Birdland to perform a hilarious and heartfelt evening of undiscovered 'trunk songs' cut from Green's Broadway shows High Fidelity, Hands On A Hardbody, and Bring It On. Matt Gallagher will lead the band.
All seats $25/35, $10 food/drink minimum

June 24-28 (Tuesday - Saturday) at 8:30 & 11:00PM

Tierney Sutton Quartet

Well renowned for her original and edgy interpretations of the classic jazz songbook, vocalist Tierney Sutton has been hailed by The New York Times as "a serious jazz artist who takes the whole enterprise to another level." The recipient of numerous honors, including a 2005 Grammy nomination, Ms. Sutton has performed at prestigious venues including New York City's Oak Room and Carnegie Hall and has been featured in popular films and commercials. Her latest album, 2009's 'Desire' offers bittersweet and haunting renditions of classics such as "Skylark", "Fever", and "Whatever Lola wants", proving that Sutton continues to evolve and mature as an artist. Going strong on a fifteen-year old collaboration, The Tierney Sutton Band features and instrumental virtuosos Christian Jacob, Trey Henry, Kevin Axt and Ray Brinker, along with Tierney's vocal stylings.

All seats $40, $10 food/drink minimum

June 26 (Thursday) at 6:00PM

Native Soul
Peter Brainin (saxophone), Noah Haidu (piano), Marcus McLaurine (bass), Steve Johns (drums)

The collective quartet known as Native Soul has earned a reputation for inspired performances among audiences and fellow musicians alike. In 2011 their second CD Soul Step was released and quickly rose to #18 on the national Jazzweek radio charts, staying close to that position for many months. Native Soul's latest recording ONE MIND is surging up the charts: already at #26 in its third week. ONE MIND showcases the depth and versatility of this New York-based cooperative: exciting up-tempos, deep grooves, modern compositions, and reinvented pop tunes. All elevated by the telepathic interaction for which they are known.

All seats $25, food/drink minimum $10

June 30 (Monday) at 7:00PM

Jackie Burns, Bianca Marroquin, Jane Monheit & Adrienne Warren

Join FRANK WILDHORN

In "Frank & Friends: Girls Night Out!"

Broadway at Birdland is proud to present multi-Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn in his regular series called "Frank & Friends." This particular show, "Girls Night Out!" will find Frank onstage with Broadway leading ladies Jackie Burns (If/Then), Bianca Marroquin (Chicago), Adrienne Warren (Bring It On) and jazz vocalist Jane Monheit. These very special one-night-only concerts celebrates the songs and favorite performers from the composer's wide range of work in popular, jazz, theatrical and classical music. All profits will go to The Actors Fund, a nationwide human services organization that helps all professionals in the performing arts and entertainment. Jason Howland will act as musical director.

$35 cover, $10 food/drink minimum

Birdland will also feature the following recurring monthly engagements:

June 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 (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

June 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 (Sundays) at 6:00PM

The Birdland Jazz Party featuring special guest vocalists

Birdland's very own jazz quartet hits the stage every Sunday to wrap up the weekend with jazz classics! This quartet feature John Hart (Guitar), Paul Gil (bass), Carmen Intorre (Drums) & Jon Davis (Piano) with special guest vocalists each week.

All seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum

June 2, 16, 23 & 30 (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

June 4, 11, 18, & 25 (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

June 6, 13, 20, 27 (Fridays) at 5:00PM

The Birdland Big Band

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

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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