John Pizzarelli Quartet, Marilyn Maye, Broadway Belts for PFF and More Come to Birdland in Feb 2015
By: BWW News Desk Jan. 15, 2015
Birdland Jazz Club has announced its February 2015 schedule, featuring John Pizzarelli Quartet, Marilyn Maye, Sarah Gazarek, Billy Childs Jazz Quartet, The 5th Annual Broadway Belts for PFF, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Details below!
Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with the following acts:
Feb 1, 16 22 (Sundays) at 6:00PM
Jazz Party with Natalie Douglas
Vocalist Natalie Douglas is a Nightlife Award, Backstage Bistro Award & seven-time MAC Award Winner, who The Times of London's Clive Davis called, "a true force of nature," in his Five Star review of her February 2014 London performance. In June, Natalie received The Mabel Mercer Foundation's 2014 Margaret Whiting award. Natalie and her trio kick off a Birdland residency with a special Birthday Edition of Jazz Party on January 18th.
Photo by Bill Westmoreland.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
Feb 3-7 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30 & 11:00PM
John Pizzarelli Quartet
Jazz guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli is a technically proficient fretman with a soft voice, charming stage presence, and knack for uptempo swing. Most often performing in a trio setting sans drums, Pizzarelli has found his niche covering jazz standards and American popular song in his own urbane style. The son of journeyman swing guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, John began performing with his father at age 20 and made his recorded debut with his 1983 release, I'm Hip -- Please Don't Tell My Father. Growing up, John was exposed to the music of such jazz luminaries as Les Paul and Django Reinhardt, and he has justifiably drawn comparisons to both of these legendary guitarists.
All tickets $45, $10 food/drink minimum
Feb 5 (Thursday) at 6:00PM
The Noah Haidu Quartet
One of New York's leading young jazz pianists, Noah Haidu combines new rhythmic ideas, harmonic sophistication, spontaneity, soul, and swing into his own unique approach. Featuring Noah Haidu on piano, Sharel Cassity on Saxophone, Steve Jones on drums and Ariel Alejandro de la Portilla on bass.
All tickets $25, plus $10 food/drink minimum
Feb 8 (Sunday) at 6:00PM
Jazz Party with Joelle Lurie
Joelle Lurie and her talented band, the Pinehurst Trio, perform regularly in NYC at clubs and at high-profile events. Originally from Boston, the New Yorker studied jazz and opera and brings that training to her distinctive "jazzed up pop/popped up jazz" modern style on "Take Me There," her debut self-release of standards, originals and pop covers.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
Feb 9 (Monday) at 7:00PM
Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano
"Only in New York: A Big Apple Valentine"
Married musical partners Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano ("Exhilarating" -The New YorkTimes) are as entertaining as they are musically savvy. These award-winning artists swing into Valentine's week, celebrating rhythm &romance in New York. Their set is a free wheeling mash-up of contemporary theater songwriters Jeanine Tesori, Scott Frankel & Michael Korie, and Steven Lutvak, along with classics by Cole Porter, Joni Mitchell, Billy Strayhorn and Paul Simon.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
Feb 10-14 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM
Referred by Ella Fitzgerald as "the greatest white female singer in the world", by Johnny Carson as the "Super Singer" and said to have a voice that is "...robust and steady, her stamina seemingly inexhaustible..." by the NY Times, Marilyn is a jazz legend known and loved by all. In the years since Marilyn Maye first appeared in the spotlight as a tiny pre-teen vocalist in a series of amateur contests in Topeka, Kansas, she has received an endless stream of kudos. The Houston Chronicle termed her "A National Treasure." Marilyn has had an illustrious singing career that is still going strong after a life-time spent entertaining audiences who are now amazed to discover she still exudes the vocal strength and stamina of a singer half her age.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
Feb 10-14 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 9:00PM & 11:00PM
Sara Gazarek
Amongst a community teaming with startlingly gifted young singers, Sara Gazarek stands out as a particularly extravagant artist. Her first two albums introduced her singular sound and vision, steeped in the tradition of jazz but deeply informed by contemporary songwriters and performers. With Blossom & Bee, her highly anticipated debut release on the respected indie label Palmetto, Gazarek turns over an exciting, glistening new leaf.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
Feb 16 (Monday) at 7:00PM
Melissa Van Der Schyff in
"The Summer in Winter"
The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominee Melissa van der Schyff will perform "The Summer in Winter," an intimate concert of lush jazz standards, a few country classics and some engaging originals. The one-night-only event will take place on Monday, February 16 at 7pm.
All tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum
Feb 23 (Monday) at 7:00PM
The 5th Annual "Broadway Belts for PFF"
The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that Julie Halston will host the fifth annual Broadway Belts for PFF, a benefit for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, on Monday, February 23 at 7pm.
Ms. Halston has been a spokeswoman and activist for Pulmonary Fibrosis ever since her husband (broadcaster Ralph Howard) was diagnosed with the disease in 2008. Directed by Carl Andress and Musical Directed by Christopher McGovern, the evening will feature some of Broadway's biggest stars belting out showstoppers, including Annaleigh Ashford, Randy Graff, and Robert Creighton.
For ticket info please click here.
Feb 17-21 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM
Billy Childs Jazz Quartet
Pianist/composer and Los Angeles native Billy Childs apprenticed with jazz legends Freddie Hubbard and J.J. Johnson in the 1970s and 80s before striking out on a solo career that would find him deftly melding the worlds of jazz and classical music and earning 10 Grammy nominations and 3 Grammy awards. Along the way, Childs has collaborated with a diverse array of artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Detroit Symphony, the Kronos Quartet, Wynton Marsalis and Chris Botti.
All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum
Feb 24-28 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM
Artist: Steps Ahead 35th Anniversary
Featuring Mike Mainieri (vibes), Eliane Elias (piano), Peter Erskine (drums), Marc Johnson (bass) George Garzone (saxophones).
Birdland will also feature the following recurring monthly engagements:
Feb 4, 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 tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum
Feb 2, 20, 27 (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! 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
Feb 1, 8, 15, 22 (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 $30, $10 food/drink minimum
Feb 2, 9, 16, 23 (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 $25, $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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