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| What's Coming Up at Birdland: June 2 - June 15 June 2-3 (Monday-Tuesday) 5:30 & 8:30 PM – Birdland Theater Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks Catch Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks every Monday and Tuesday evening in April at Birdland Theater! Giordano, the recipient of a GRAMMY Award for his work scoring the HBO show Boardwalk Empire, is a master composer and arranger whose 11-piece band, The Nighthawks, recreate the jubilant 1920s jazz sound with amazing definition, using violins, tubas, banjos, and collector's item drum sets. The band has provided soundtracks for film and television productions including The Cotton Club, The Aviator, Finding Forrester, Revolutionary Road, Cafe Society, Boardwalk Empire, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and many more. Not to be missed! $40 tables / $30 bar / $20 partial view table seating + $20 food/drink minimum June 2 (Monday) 7:00 PM – Birdland Jazz Club Gabrielle Stravelli & Billy Stritch: Close To You Birdland Jazz Club is proud to present Gabrielle Stravelli & Billy Stritch: Close To You on Monday, June 2. This highly anticipated concert pairs the legendary singer/pianist Billy Stritch with acclaimed jazz vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli in an inspired musical collaboration that transcends genres and celebrates the art of song. In Close To You, Stritch and Stravelli will explore a thrilling repertoire that spans jazz, pop, Brazilian music, classic rock-n-roll, country, and rhythm & blues. With selections from artists such as The Everly Brothers, Lou Rawls, Milton Nascimento, Michel Legrand, and Jule Styne, the evening promises a rich and diverse musical journey—brought to life with extraordinary artistry, improvisation, and heart. Over the course of more than a dozen years of performing together, Stritch and Stravelli have cultivated a profound musical connection, one rooted in deep respect for melody, lyric, and story. While both are widely celebrated for their interpretations of jazz and the American Songbook, this collaboration showcases their shared passion for timeless music from all corners of the popular canon. They will be joined by two of New York's most sought-after musicians: Pat O'Leary on bass and Mark McLean on drums. Expect pure delight! $40 tables / $40 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 2 (Monday) 9:30 PM - Birdland Jazz Club Jim Caruso's Cast Party Step into the glittering world of Jim Caruso's Cast Party, the legendary weekly open mic night that turns Birdland into the ultimate showbiz playground! Every Monday, the iconic venue transforms into a raucous, star-studded celebration of music, comedy, and jaw-dropping talent, where seasoned pros and up-and-coming performers share the stage in an unforgettable, high-energy variety show. Leading the charge is the ever-dapper Jim Caruso. With his signature charm and boundless enthusiasm, Caruso keeps the night moving at a thrilling pace, welcoming Broadway belters, jazz virtuosos, master tappers, and the occasional surprise megastar drop-in! Fueling the musical magic is the incomparable trio of powerhouse musicians: the dazzling Billy Stritch at the piano, the rock-solid Steve Doyle on bass, and the dynamic Daniel Glass on drums. Together, they create a swinging, electrifying sound that transforms every performance into a showstopping moment. From Tony and Oscar winners to hopeful newcomers, Cast Party is where talent shines, friendships are forged, and the spirit of live performance is alive and thriving. Whether you're gracing the stage or cheering from the audience, one thing's for sure—you never know who might take the mic next! Join the party every Monday night at Birdland and witness why Jim Caruso's Cast Party remains a can't-miss New York City tradition. $35 tables / $25 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 3-7 (Tuesday-Saturday) 7:00 & 9:30 PM (6/3-5); 8:30 & 10:30 PM (6/6-7) – Birdland Jazz Club Stacey Kent A singer of marvelous talent, Stacey Kent's beautiful voice and natural musicality have been the feature of 12 studio albums, including Platinum, Double-Gold and Gold records that have garnered her a much-deserved worldwide audience clocking over 500 million streams. With performances in over 55 countries during her stellar career, Kent's global fandom makes perfect sense: over the course of two decades as a recording artist, her miraculous fluency singing in French, Italian, German, Portuguese and English allows her to relate to audiences across cultural borders. Naturally, Kent's vision has broadened beyond the Great American Songbook: French and Brazilian classics also feature prominently in her contemporary work. Her September 2021 album, Songs From Other Places, was released to critical acclaim; she released her latest studio album, Summer Me, Winter Me (Naive Records) in November of 2023. Her newest recording is due in the fall of 2025. For this special summer show, Kent is backed by her working group of veteran collaborators. $50 tables / $40 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 4 (Wednesday) 6:00 PM - Birdland Theater 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 21st 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! $40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 4 (Wednesday) 8:30 PM - Birdland Theater Frank Vignola's Guitar Night With Pasquale Grasso It's the best jazz guitar lover's show in the world. Frank Vignola's virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for many of the world's top musicians, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Les Paul, the Boston and New York Pops, and more. Every Wednesday at 8:30pm in the Birdland Theater, Frank leads "Frank Vignola's Guitar Night at Birdland." Inspired by journeyman jazz guitarist John Pisano's now famous Los Angeles Guitar Night, the Frank Vignola Quartet, featuring pianist Ted Rosenthal, bassist Gary Mazzaroppi, and drummer Alex Raderman, perform tunes from the standard repertoire, bringing in special guests weekly. This week it's Pasquale Grasso. **Guitar night streams live every week at: YouTube.com/RadioFreeBirdland $40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 5 (Thursday) 5:30 & 8:30 PM – Birdland Theater The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band Led by veteran trumpeter Simon Wettenhall and Grammy winning pianist Conal Fowkes, The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band is a New Orleans-style group which for decades has served as Woody Allen's band of choice in his movies, concert tours and other performances—including, on the silver screen, the celebrated Wild Man Blues, Sweet and Lowdown, Midnight in Paris, Blue Jasmine, Cafe Society, Magic In The Moonlight, and A Rainy Day In New York. Appearing on all the premiere concert stages of Europe and the United States, the group features Conal Fowkes (piano/vocals co-leader), Simon Wettenhall (trumpet/vocals co-leader), Tom Abbott (clarinet), Harvey Tibbs (trombone), Josh Dunn (banjo), Brian Nalepka (bass/vocals), and Kevin Dorn (drums). Catch them each Thursday at Birdland Theater. $40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 6 (Friday) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club The Birdland Big Band Every Friday, and for two headlining weeks a year, the “BBB” roars into action playing a thrilling and original mix of jazz, funk, Brazilian, Latin and world music for sold-out audiences. Featured weekly guest artists drop in from television bands (David Letterman, Saturday Night Live) and pop music touring bands (Rob Thomas, Rod Stewart). Come see for yourself why Time Out New York called the BBB “A completely unique experience… there isn’t another band like this anywhere, ” and why yelp.com proclaims, “If you hear one band in NYC make sure this is it… and prepare to be blown away!” $40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 6-8 (Friday-Sunday) 7:00 & 9:30 PM – Birdland Theater Wycliffe Gordon Quintet Widely regarded as one of the foremost voices on trombone in the world today, the great Wycliffe Gordon brings his Quartet to Birdland for a weekend of good old New Orleans fun. The trombonist-composer has been presented with some of the jazz’s highest distinctions: the 2019 Sonny Award from Suncoast Jazz; the 2018 “Louie Award” by the Louis Armstrong House Museum; the 2017 International Trombone Association Award; the 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014 ASCAP Plus Awards for his composing; Downbeat Magazine’s “Best Trombone” Award in 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013 and 2012; and the Jazz Journalists Association “Trombonist of the Year” Award a whopping 15 times. His signature artistry is a combination of impossible technique, jubilant swagger, and soul-drenched expression. $40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 7 (Saturday) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club Hilary Kole Quartet The wonderful Hilary Kole is proud to be making her return this year to Birdland, where she led many jazz parties and performed for many years. A singer, composer, and arranger who has headlined in the United States and around the world at the Umbria Jazz Festival, The Montreal Jazz Festival, Town Hall, The Blue Note, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops, and throughout Japan and Europe, Kole has recorded with music legends David Brubeck, Oscar Peterson, Michel LeGrand, Hank Jones, John Pizzarelli, Monty Alexander, Kenny Barron, and Freddy Cole, the Indianapolis Symphony, and The Colorado Symphony, among others. Her debut recording, “Haunted Heart, ” was released to critical acclaim in 2009, winning the Gold Disc Award in Japan and receiving a 4-star review in Downbeat. Her sophomore recording, “You Are There, ” was named as “Record Of The Year” in USA Today, as well as receiving the 2010 Bistro Award for “Record of the Year.” Kole’s third release, “A Self- Portrait, ” earned a place on a USA Today top 10 list. She is also a Delius Award-winning composer and a 3-time award-winner with the National Federation of Music for her compositions. $40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 8 (Sunday) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club Yardbird Big Band directed by David DeJesus Birdland celebrates Charlie “Yardbird” Parker’s life and legacy with this performance dedicated to the Bird’s trailblazing genius. Join the Yardbird Big Band, directed by David DeJesus, on June 8th for a tribute to the great master’s music. This band brings together some of the best musicians in New York City to play Bird’s songs, and DeJesus—an expert on the life of Charlie Parker—will guide audiences through this evening of iconic music. The songs may be classic, but the arrangements are fresh with this bebop big band! $40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 8 (Sunday) 8:30 & 10:30 PM - Birdland Jazz Club The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO) brings together the drama of big band jazz, the culture of Latin music, and the virtuosity of eighteen of the world’s most accomplished solo musicians. Thirteen years of critically acclaimed performances internationally have firmly established the ALJO as the standard-bearer for creative interpretation of Latin jazz greats such as Tito Puente, Frank “Machito” Grillo, and Chico O’Farrill, as well as the driving force behind new commissions from Latin music’s most talented composers and arrangers. $40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 9-10 (Monday-Tuesday) 5:30 & 8:30 PM – Birdland Theater Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks Catch Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks every Monday and Tuesday evening in April at Birdland Theater! Giordano, the recipient of a GRAMMY Award for his work scoring the HBO show Boardwalk Empire, is a master composer and arranger whose 11-piece band, The Nighthawks, recreate the jubilant 1920s jazz sound with amazing definition, using violins, tubas, banjos, and collector’s item drum sets. The band has provided soundtracks for film and television productions including The Cotton Club, The Aviator, Finding Forrester, Revolutionary Road, Cafe Society, Boardwalk Empire, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and many more. Not to be missed! $40 tables / $30 bar / $20 partial view table seating + $20 food/drink minimum June 9 (Monday) 7:00 PM – Birdland Jazz Club Jeff Harnar in “It’s De-Lovely” What better place to celebrate Cole Porter’s birthday than Birdland—the crown jewel of New York’s music scene? On Monday, June 9 at 7:00 PM, award-winning concert and recording artist Jeff Harnar, hailed as one of Porter’s premier interpreters, brings his celebrated show IT’S DE-LOVELY to the Birdland stage. A joyful, stylish celebration of Porter’s timeless wit and elegance, IT’S DE-LOVELY features beloved standards including “It’s De-Lovely, ” “Let’s Do It, ” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin, ” “Begin the Beguine, ” “Easy to Love, ” and a few delightful surprises originally introduced by Danny Kaye and Jimmy Durante. The New York Times has declared, “Harnar and Porter are a perfect fit, ” and this evening promises to be just that—an ideal pairing of interpreter and inspiration. Harnar’s impressive résumé includes Carnegie Hall appearances for both the Cole Porter and Noël Coward Centennial Galas. His televised PBS concerts include The 1959 Broadway Songbook with Alex Rybeck, and American Songbook: Stephen Sondheim and Remember: Songs of the Holidays with KT Sullivan. His recent recordings on PS Classics—A Collective Cy (2023) and I Know Things Now: My Life in Sondheim’s Words (2022)—have earned critical acclaim. Harnar will be joined by special guest Billy Stritch, the Grammy-winning singer, pianist, arranger, and songwriter. The performance will also be joined by Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano. The show’s music director is Alex Rybeck, an award-winning musical force in his own right, who leads a stellar trio featuring Ritt Henn on bass and Dan Gross on drums. This evening promises to be a swinging, stylish, and unforgettable tribute to one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century—on the night of his birth, in the city that never sleeps. VIP $50 / $40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 9 (Monday) 9:30 PM - Birdland Jazz Club Jim Caruso’s Cast Party Step into the glittering world of Jim Caruso’s Cast Party, the legendary weekly open mic night that turns Birdland into the ultimate showbiz playground! Every Monday, the iconic venue transforms into a raucous, star-studded celebration of music, comedy, and jaw-dropping talent, where seasoned pros and up-and-coming performers share the stage in an unforgettable, high-energy variety show. Leading the charge is the ever-dapper Jim Caruso. With his signature charm and boundless enthusiasm, Caruso keeps the night moving at a thrilling pace, welcoming Broadway belters, jazz virtuosos, master tappers, and the occasional surprise megastar drop-in! Fueling the musical magic is the incomparable trio of powerhouse musicians: the dazzling Billy Stritch at the piano, the rock-solid Steve Doyle on bass, and the dynamic Daniel Glass on drums. Together, they create a swinging, electrifying sound that transforms every performance into a showstopping moment. From Tony and Oscar winners to hopeful newcomers, Cast Party is where talent shines, friendships are forged, and the spirit of live performance is alive and thriving. Whether you’re gracing the stage or cheering from the audience, one thing’s for sure—you never know who might take the mic next! Join the party every Monday night at Birdland and witness why Jim Caruso’s Cast Party remains a can’t-miss New York City tradition. $35 tables / $25 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 10-14 (Tuesday-Saturday) 7:00 & 9:30 PM (6/10-12); 8:30 & 10:30 PM (6/13-14) – Birdland Jazz Club The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra Pianist and bandleader William James “Count” Basie was and still is an American institution that personifies the grandeur and excellence of Jazz. The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, today directed by Scotty Barnhart, has won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, won 19 Grammy Awards (including 2024’s Best Large Jazz Ensemble), performed for kings, queens, and other world royalty, appeared in several movies, television shows, at every major jazz festival and major concert hall in the world. Jazz greats like Lester Young, Billie Holiday, Frank Foster, Thad Jones, Sonny Payne, and more became international stars once they began working with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra. This 18-member orchestra, many hand-picked by the Count himself, is still continuing the excellent history started by Basie of stomping and shouting the blues, as well as refining those musical particulars that allow for the deepest and most moving of swing. $50 tables / $40 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 11 (Wednesday) 6:00 PM - Birdland Theater 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 21st 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! $40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 11 (Wednesday) 8:30 PM - Birdland Theater Frank Vignola’s Guitar Night It's the best jazz guitar lover's show in the world. Frank Vignola's virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for many of the world’s top musicians, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Les Paul, the Boston and New York Pops, and more. Every Wednesday at 8:30pm in the Birdland Theater, Frank leads “Frank Vignola’s Guitar Night at Birdland.” Inspired by journeyman jazz guitarist John Pisano’s now famous Los Angeles Guitar Night, the Frank Vignola Quartet, featuring pianist Ted Rosenthal, bassist Gary Mazzaroppi, and drummer Alex Raderman, perform tunes from the standard repertoire, bringing in special guests weekly. You never know who might drop by! **Guitar night streams live every week at: YouTube.com/RadioFreeBirdland $40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 12 (Thursday) 5:30 & 8:30 PM – Birdland Theater The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band Led by veteran trumpeter Simon Wettenhall and Grammy winning pianist Conal Fowkes, The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band is a New Orleans-style group which for decades has served as Woody Allen’s band of choice in his movies, concert tours and other performances—including, on the silver screen, the celebrated Wild Man Blues, Sweet and Lowdown, Midnight in Paris, Blue Jasmine, Cafe Society, Magic In The Moonlight, and A Rainy Day In New York. Appearing on all the premiere concert stages of Europe and the United States, the group features Conal Fowkes (piano/vocals co-leader), Simon Wettenhall (trumpet/vocals co-leader), Tom Abbott (clarinet), Harvey Tibbs (trombone), Josh Dunn (banjo), Brian Nalepka (bass/vocals), and Kevin Dorn (drums). Catch them each Thursday at Birdland Theater. $40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 13 (Friday) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club The Birdland Big Band Every Friday, and for two headlining weeks a year, the “BBB” roars into action playing a thrilling and original mix of jazz, funk, Brazilian, Latin and world music for sold-out audiences. Featured weekly guest artists drop in from television bands (David Letterman, Saturday Night Live) and pop music touring bands (Rob Thomas, Rod Stewart). Come see for yourself why Time Out New York called the BBB “A completely unique experience… there isn’t another band like this anywhere, ” and why yelp.com proclaims, “If you hear one band in NYC make sure this is it… and prepare to be blown away!” $40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 13-15 (Friday-Sunday) 7:00 & 9:30 PM – Birdland Theater Joe Alterman Trio (feat. Houston Person, 6/15 only) Enjoy a weekend with Birdland favorite Joe Alterman—and, on Sunday night, join him in welcoming special guest and jazz legend Houston Person to the stage, hot off the release of their new recording, “Brisket for Breakfast”! Alterman is the pianist who Ramsey Lewis calls “a joy to behold”; who Les McCann calls “a giant”; and whose warm, upbeat pianism calls forth the exuberant wit of Ahmad Jamal, the blues of Red Garland, and the reflections of Bill Evans. An Atlanta native who has been performing in New York City for over ten years, former releases included Joe Alterman Plays Les McCann: Big Mo & Little Joe (August 2023) and Solo Joe: Songs You Know both in the same month. His prior recording, The Upside of Down, captured the power of two sets he played at Birdland in 2019 and 2020 in the months just preceding the pandemic. Alterman’s expertise lies in his ability to bring the heat on keys, conjuring up the down-home good feelings which we so badly need right about now. Perhaps this is why famed jazz critic Nat no Hentoff says that the young pianist “would have been able to hold his own jamming with…Lester Young, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, and Duke Ellington.” On night three of this engagement, he will be jamming with jazz royalty in the form of Houston Person, whose soulful saxophone cry brought him into collaboration with Horace Silver, Lena Horne, Ron Carter, and so many others throughout the second half of the 20th century. Let Alterman and Person swing you out of your seats. Don’t be surprised if you dance the whole show! $35 tables / $25 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 14 (Saturday) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club Joe Stilgoe A world-class singer, pianist, and songwriter whose sharp wit, dazzling musicianship, and authentic charisma have made him one of the UK’s most distinctive performers, Joe Stilgoe—the son of songwriter Richard Stilgoe and opera singer Annabel Hunt—has built a genre-defying career wherein jazz, theatre, and classic pop tangle in a modern twist. His latest album THEATRE, featuring the Metropole Orkest and BBC Concert Orchestra, marked a career high point—a lush, orchestral journey that, as Bebop Spoken Here wrote, “lures you into a wonderful world of make-believe.” This after the singer’s pandemic-era project “Stilgoe in the Shed” became an online sensation, raising over £50, 000 for charity and topping the UK Jazz Chart. Stilgoe has headlined Royal Albert Hall, co-created shows for the London Jazz Festival, and composed a family musical (“ZOG”), always bringing warmth and humor to each stage. A regular on BBC Radio and JazzFM, he has performed for royalty and collaborated with orchestras across the globe. Catch this modern entertainer with an old soul as he marries vintage elegance and new flair. $35 tables / $25 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 15 (Sunday) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club Miss Maybell and Her Ragtime Romeos Miss Maybell plays “old music for the young at heart, ” and it’s a sight to behold. Offering an exuberant mix of ragtime, early jazz, blues, and country classics, Maybell (the talented Lauren Sansaricq) and crew transport audiences to a different time, but in their expert hands, the music feels as fresh as ever. Vocalist/washboardist Sansaricq’s lovely connection with pianist Charlie Judkins—called a “genius piano player” by the Syncopated Times—radiates an infectious energy. Their toe-tapping romps will leave audiences smiling. Brian Nalepka (bass and tuba) and Andy Stein (saxophone) round out the group, which was recently featured on The NPR Show “Person Place Thing” with Randy Cohen. Don’t miss this delightful one-nighter—this time with her Ragtime Romeos! $35 tables / $25 bar + $20 food/drink minimum June 15 (Sunday) 8:30 & 10:30 PM - Birdland Jazz Club The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO) brings together the drama of big band jazz, the culture of Latin music, and the virtuosity of eighteen of the world’s most accomplished solo musicians. Thirteen years of critically acclaimed performances internationally have firmly established the ALJO as the standard-bearer for creative interpretation of Latin jazz greats such as Tito Puente, Frank “Machito” Grillo, and Chico O’Farrill, as well as the driving force behind new commissions from Latin music’s most talented composers and arrangers. $40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum write your comments about the article :: © 2025 Jazz News :: home page |