Birdland to Welcome James Carter Organ Trio, Todd Murray & More, Week of 4/13

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for April 13-19, featuring James Carter Organ Trio, Todd Murray in "Croon: When A Whisper Became A Song," Barbara Carroll, Jazz Party with Natalie Douglas, and more!

April 13 (Monday) at 7:00PM
Todd Murray in "Croon: When A Whisper Became A Song"

Todd Murray is a respected international interpreter of The American Songbook. His deep, heartfelt baritone caresses the gorgeous melodies and lyrics of Rogers and Hart, Cole Porter, Burt Bacharach and Leonard Cohen with vocals reminiscent of Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby. Murray takes the audience from the time before the microphone through each decade since. The show has been lauded from New York to LA, and his CD's and song writing have garnered rave reviews. Rex Reed writes, "Todd Murray has all the spot-on ingredients: a throaty and mellow baritone, perfect diction, meticulous phrasing and great time. Matinee-idol looks don't hurt either, but it's his material that brings back the floating relaxed memories of the big-band era...a cabaret prince headed for the big cabaret throne." Murray is supported by veteran New York City musicians Alex Rybeck on piano, Steve Doyle on bass, Sean Harkness on guitar, and Dan Gross on drums.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

April 13 (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 tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum

April 14-18 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30 & 11:00PM
James Carter Organ Trio

By the time Detroit native saxophonist James Carter emerged on the New York jazz scene 1988 he was already a sensation, "it was akin to the second coming... not since the 1960s had someone emerged with so potent a combination of astounding advanced and extended techniques, fiery intensity, and unfettered imagination." (All About Jazz). Now, Carter the mature artist is firmly established as one of the leading saxophonists of his generation, well versed in everything from striaght ahead to gypsy-jazz to funk. His new release, "Django Unchained," is his second to celebrate music popularized by gypsy guitar legend Django Reinhardt, but this time within the modern sounds of Carter's favored ensemble, the organ trio.
All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum

April 15 (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 tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum

April 16 (Thursday) at 6:00PM
Tim Homer's "Time's Circle"

The ensemble, Time's Circle, is a group founded by veteran composer/drummer, Tim Horner, exploring original compositions in the tradition of jazz. Most recently Tim released his second CD of his extraordinary work, "The Head of the Circle", moving up to number 15 on the Jazz Charts. Joining him on his Birdland Jazz debut will be Dean Johnson on bass, Ted Rosenthal on piano, Mark Sherman on vibraphone with guest artist Ema Mitrovic on vocals. Members of the band have also included Ted Nash, Joe Locke, Vic Juris, Steve Allee, Jim Ridl, John Hart, Scott Robinson, Martin Wind, Marc Mommaas, and Ron Horton among others. Tim Horner has been part of Grammy nominated projects including those of artists Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, Roseanna Vitro, and most recently Ann Hampton Callaway's critically acclaimed "From Sassy to Divine".
All tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum

April 17 (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 tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum

April 18 (Saturday) at 6:00PM
Barbara Carroll

Barbara is an elegant jazz pianist, composer and vocalist, long recognized as one of the premier players of swinging jazz piano and expressive vocals.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

April 19 (Sunday) 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.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

April 19 (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 tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum