Coltrane Revisited, Christina Bianco, Anthony de Mare and More Set for Birdland This Month
By: BWW News Desk Sep. 01, 2015
Birdland Jazz Club has announced its September 2015 schedule, featuring Cyrus Chestnut Trio, Arturo O'Farrill, The Birdland Big|Brave Band, Darius de Haas, Coltrane Revisited, The Royal Bopsters Project, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and more!
Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with the following acts:
Tonight, September 1 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM
Cyrus Chestnut Trio
Cyrus Chestnut has earned a reputation for his skillful versatility, his ability for blending sounds and for unabashedly bringing gospel into the club performances he gives. And despite his sense of playful showmanship, he takes jazz very seriously and believes that jazz has great staying power. "Just as Bruce Springsteen has that ability to appeal to a mass audience, I have a vision that jazz can do the same. You can't underestimate the power of this music," Chestnut told the St. Petersburg Times.
All seats $40, $10 food/drink minimum
September 3 (Thursday) at 9:00PM & 11:00PM
Laszlo Gardony & Don Braden Duo
Internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Laszlo Gardony joins forces with saxophonist Don Braden in a duo concert featuring music from Gardony's new Sunnyside Records release "Life in Real Time."
All seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum
September 7 (Monday) at 7:00PM
The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that singer Darius de Haas will return to the historic stage at 7pm on Monday, September 7 with "Something To Live For," celebrating Billy Strayhorn. Darius de Haas will celebrate the centennial and classic songbook of American jazz composer, pianist, lyricist and arranger Billy Strayhorn, who was best known for his successful collaboration with bandleader and composer Duke Ellington, lasting nearly three decades. His compositions include "Take the 'A' Train," "Chelsea Bridge," and"Lush Life." Darius will be joined by pianist Tedd Firth and bassist George Farmer.
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum
September 8-12 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM
Arturo O'Farrill
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|Brave 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. After leading his late father's orchestra for many years, Arturo formed his own band, The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra as well as various trios, quintet and sextets in order to explore his and other compositions in the panoply of Afro-Latin music.
All seats $40, $10 food/drink minimum
September 10 (Thursday) at 6:00PM
Pucci Amanda Jhones Quartet
A former model, Pucci has performed internationally for many years in major venues throughout the world. This time, she returns to Birdland with Joe Trachina on piano, Eric Lemon on bass, Bobby Sananbria on drums and Ralph Williams singing tenor.
All seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum
September 14 (Monday) at 9:00PM & 11:00PM
Melanie Stace "The Night Has Just Begun"
Melanie is thrilled to be returning to Birdland, a place she fell in love with, and has visited frequently since she re-located to the City almost exactly six years ago. Don't miss this opportunity to hear this voice! In the words of one US Critic : "Stace possesses an extraordinarily powerful voice, with all the range and emotion to send shivers down your spine."
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum
September 15-19 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 7:00PM
The Royal Bopsters Project+Guests: Jon Hendricks, Annie Ross, Andy Bey, Bob Dorough, Sheila Jordan
Celebrate the release of "The Royal Bopsters Project" on Motema Records. The New Album is a stunning multi-generational vocal summit that brings vocalese into the present while honoring its rich past.
All seats $40, $10 food/drink minimum
September 20-21 (Sunday-Monday) at 6:00PM, 7:00PM on Monday
The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that acclaimed singer, actor and impressionist Christina Bianco will return to Birdland with her solo show, Party of One, on Sunday, September 20 at 6pm and Monday, September 21 at 7pm. In this new show, Christina shares her eclectic musical and artistic influences. From her New York roots, to global travels, to her love of celebrity divas, Christina will take audiences on a musical comedy journey, retracing the steps that led her to become a multi-faceted party of one.
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum
September 22-26 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM
Coltrane Revisited
A tribute to the Jazz legend, John Contrane with Eric Alexander (sax), Steve Kuhn (piano), Lonnie Plaxico (bass) and Steve Smith (drums).
All seats $40, $10 food/drink minimum
September 24 (Thursday) at 6:00PM
Anthony de Mare "Liaisons: Re-Imagining Sondheim from the Piano
U.S. concert pianist Anthony de Mare pays tribute to Stephen Sondheim in a fascinating project. De Mare invited composers from a broad variety of genres - from Sondheim's own world of musical theater to jazz, classical, pop, film and beyond - to "re-imagine" a Sondheim song of their choice as a solo piano piece. Contributing re-composers included Steve Reich, Wynton Marsalis, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Fred Hersch, Ethan Iverson, William Bolcom, Duncan Sheik, Nico Muhly, Eve Beglarian, Gabriel Kahane, Thomas Newman, Jake Heggie, and more - in total, 36 composers, ranging in age from 30 - 75 and representing seven countries and 29 Grammy, Pulitzer, Tony, Academy and Emmy Awards!
All seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum
September 27 (Sunday) at 6:00PM
"This Is Cabaret"
With Ann Hampton Callaway and Special Guest Steve Tyrell
Recasting cabaret as an emotionally engaging experience rather than a place, host Ann Hampton Callaway celebrates intimate performances and heartfelt songs from a variety of genres: jazz, Broadway, folk , singer-songwriter, the blues, and more....
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum
September 28 (Monday) at 7:00PM
Anita Gillette in "So, As I Was Saying..."
The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that actress/singer Anita Gillette will return to her musical home on Monday, September 28 with her new show, "So, As I Was Saying..." Ms. Gillette premiered this new autobiographical concert to rave reviews at Birdland in March. In the show, she weaves her hilarious stories with song, covering her many years on Broadway and in films with stories about such people as Burt Lancaster ("It Never Was You"), Bill Murray ("Baby Elephant Walk"), Irving Berlin ("Song For A Belly Dancer"), and Tina Fey ("Blue Skies").
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum
September 29-October 3 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM
Nicholas Payton
Grammy-award winner, Nicholas Payton, is an American trumpet player and multi-instrumentalist from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also a prolific and provocative writer who comments on a multitude of subjects, including music, race, politics, and life in America.
All seats $40, $10 food/drink minimum
Birdland will also feature the following recurring monthly engagements:
September 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 seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum
September 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 seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum
September 4, 11, 18, 25 (Fridays) at 5:15PM
With Guest Conductor Rob Middleton
Founded by drummer and musical director Tommy Igoe, the Birdland Big|Brave 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 $40, $10 food/drink minimum
September 6, 13, 30, 27 (Sundays) at 6:00PM
Birdland Jazz Party
Hosted by Carole Bufford
Birdland's very own jazz quartet hits the stage every Sunday to wrap up the weekend with jazz classics featuring jazz vocalist Carole J. Bufford! Carole J. Bufford has become one of the most sought after young performers in the New York cabaret & jazz scene. Her recent shows, "Speak Easy" and "Body & Soul" earned her rave reviews across the board, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. She has traveled all over the US and recently made her London debut to great critical acclaim.
All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum
For tickets, visit www.BirdlandJazz.com or 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, go to www.BirdlandJazz.com or follow BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB on Twitter: @birdlandjazz, Facebook, Instagram, and on Pinterest.
Videos
