BossaBrasil Festival, Spencer Day and More to Play Birdland, 5/26-6/1

By: May. 16, 2014
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Birdland Jazz Club is pleased to announce their amazing line-up of talent for May 26 - June 1, featuring Bossabrasil with Marcos Valle and Roberto Menescal, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, Spencer Day, David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, and more. Details below!

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with the following acts:

Broadway at Birdland

May 26 (Monday) at 7:00PM

Singer/Songwriter Spencer Day

Spencer Day is a contemporary singer and songwriter, originating from humble beginnings in a small town in Utah. Spencer's early albums were followed more recently by the acclaimed Vagabond in 2009 and The Mystery of You in 2013. A strong jazz musician, his music has evolved with a variety of influences from folk rock's The Association, rockabilly, big bands and Nancy Sinatra. He likes the versatility and flexibility of his music and plans on performing a show that will infuse elements of cabaret, storytelling, and comedy with his piano and vocals.

All seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum

May 26 (Monday) at 9:30PM

Jim Caruso's Cast Party

Hosted by Jim Caruso, with the Cast Party "Symphony Orchestra." "No one can call themselves a true New Yorker until they've been to the 'Cast Party,' which is to Broadway what the Conde Nast cafeteria is to publishing. Divas and dapper-dans insouciantly sip cocktails while watching each other sing and perform at the open-mic event during Broadway's dark night." (Next Magazine). Broadway impresario Jim Caruso hosts a combination open-mic, networking event and party in which the biggest stars on Broadway relax on their night off by performing their favorite songs in an informal setting.

All tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum

May 27-31 (Tuesday - Saturday) at 8:30 & 11PM

Delta Air Lines Presents BOSSABRASIL

Featuring Marcos Valle and Roberto Menesca

For the first time in New York two of Brazil's most important pop/jazz composers, MARCOS VALLE/pianist-vocalist and ROBERTO MENESCAL-guitarist. The performance will highlight many of their famous hit songs as well as some gems of JOBIM. They will bring vocalist Patricia Alvi, the great drummer Renato Massa, and Trumpeter Jesse Sadoc, with them from Rio. Joining them will be two other native Brazilians living in the US, Itaguara Brandao on bass and Jorge Continentino on sax and flute. BossaBrasil is an annual event going into its 8th year.

All seats $40, $10 food/drink minimum

May 28 (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 seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum

May 30 (Friday) at 5:00PM

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 seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

May 31 (Saturday) at 6:00PM

Barbara Carroll

Her "jazz pianism is the subtlest and most intricate New York has to offer." (New Yorker) Barbara Carroll's inventive piano playing and unique vocal sound transforms any composition into something hip and urbane. In a sixty-year career she has gone from being dubbed "the first girl ever to play bebop piano" by Leonard Feather in 1947, to today being dubbed a "singer who turns song lyrics into personal dramatic monologues." (Stephen Holden, New York Times)

All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum

June 1 (Sunday) at 6:00PM

The Birdland Jazz Party

Featuring Lisa Gary

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

All seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum

June 1 (Sunday) 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

Purchase tickets at: www.BirdlandJazz.com. 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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