Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration and More Set for August at Birdland
By: BWW News Desk Jul. 15, 2016
Birdland Jazz Club has announced its August 2016 schedule, featuring Django Reinhardt NY Festival, Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration, Steve Kuhn Trio, Renee Rosnes, ShowBiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, Rolando Morales-Matos Sextet, Ken Peplowski Quartet, Eric Comstock and Jay Leonhart, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Scroll down for details!
Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with the following acts:
August 1 (Monday) at 7:00PM
Jazz Vocalist Sara Gazarek Presents "Dream in the Blue"
Birdland is proud to announce that jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek will return to the historic stage on Monday, August 1 at 7pm. The concert, titled "Dream in the Blue," will celebrate the CD of the same name, which will be available for purchase worldwide on August 5. Sara Gazarek will be accompanied by Miro Sprague on piano, Matt Aronoff on bass and Zach Harmon on drums.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 2-7 (Tuesday-Sunday) at 8:30PM and 11PM
Air France Presents Django Reinhardt NY Festival
The Django Festival Allstars return from France to their home at Birdland August 2-7 for the bi-annual Django Reinardt NY Festival. The Django Festival Allstars bring the Django style up to date with original songs and old favorites, a band that swings like crazy and will bring you to tears with a love song, virtuosity and creativity at it's best. The Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio says, "They are some of the greatest musicians in the world"!
All tickets $50, $10 food/drink minimum
August 7 (Sunday) at 6:00PM
The Empathia Jazz Duo with Mafalds Minnozzi and Paul Ricci
The duo's unique blend draws from the great Italian, Brazilian, French and American songwriters such as Cole Porter, Jobim, Ivan Lins and Morricone among others.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 8 (Monday) at 7:00PM
Duets
Special LGBTQ Edition Benefiting the One Orlando Fund
The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present "Duets" with thewriteteachers.com Volume 4, in a special LGBTQ+ Edition. This one-night-only event will benefit the One Orlando Fund.
The evening will pair theater hopefuls with the Broadway professionals that have inspired them to join and/or stay in the crazy life of show business. The show will consist of songs from across the musical theatre canon that speaks to the LBGTQ+ experience. Think Bare. Think RENT. Think Falsettos. Think of some gender swapped famous duets, too!
All tickets $35-45, $10 food/drink minimum
August 9-13 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM
Steve Kuhn Trio with Steve Swallow and Joey Baron
After making his mark as a sideman with John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Art Farmer and others, pianist Steve Kuhn moved beyond the powerful influence of Bill Evans to become a unique stylist with incredible technique, sense of dynamics and lyricism. Over the last fifteen years Steve has released critically acclaimed CDs marking a well-deserved career renaissance. The trio's recent ECM CD, "Wisteria," takes a fresh look at several pieces heard on Kuhn's orchestral, "Promises Kept," alongside the driving hard bop of "A Likely Story," Swallow's "Dark Glasses," Carla Bley's gospel-tinged "Permanent Wave" and the Brazilian flavored "Romance," by Dori Caymmi.
All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum
August 14 (Sunday) at 6:00PM
Noah Haidu Quartet
"A rising star in New York's vibrant jazz scene...Haidu is one of the finest young jazz lions to look out for...With jazz luminaries like trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and alto saxophonist Jon Irabagon gracing the band as part of a core quintet rising above their powerful performance is quite an accomplishment and Haidu does just that..." -Jazz Times. Featuring Noah Haidu on piano, Sharel Cassity on saxophone, John David on drums and Yasushi Nakamura on bass.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 14 (Sunday) at 9:00PM & 11:00PM
Rolando Morales-Matos Sextet
Birdland will present an unforgettable evening of explosive and exciting music by one-of-a-kind multi-percussionist/composer Rolando Morales-Matos. His original compositions, along with his interpretations of works by other composers, combine the polyrhythmic traditions of Afro-Caribbean, South American, and Jazz reflects Rolando's broad pallet as a performer/composer and bandleader.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 15 (Monday) at 7:00PM
ShowBiz After Hours with Frank DiLella
The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that NY1 theater journalist, Frank DiLella, will return to the Birdland stage with the sixth episode of his new talk show, "Show Biz After Hours With Frank DiLella." Frank's very special guests will be Max von Essen (An American in Paris), Laura Michelle Kelly (Finding Neverland) & Michael Longoria (Jersey Boys). The event will be taped in front of a live audience on Monday, August 15 at 7pm. "Show Biz After Hours With Frank DiLella" is a regular theater-based live talk show featuring Broadway movers-and-shakers, impromptu musical performances, audience interaction, and a cocktail or two! Musical director for the show will be performer and composer Randy Redd. The show will be filmed and aired on Time Warner Cable's Video On Demand System.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 16-20 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11PM
Canadian born, Renee Rosnes is one of the premier pianists and composers of her generation. Rosnes has released a series of twelve albums, four of which have garnered Juno Awards, the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy. Aside from leading her own bands, Rosnes is currently a member of bassist Ron Carter's Foursight Quartet. Rosnes also frequently performs with her husband, acclaimed pianist Bill Charlap, and the couple released their first duo recording in 2010, Double Portrait (Blue Note). Downbeat wrote: "The counterpoint and compatibilities are so perfectly balanced, the selections and arrangements so handsome, that 'Double Portrait' is a prize."
All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum
August 18 (Thursday) at 6:00PM
Beat Kaestli "Live in Europe" CD Release
After a decade presenting his music on 5 continents as an internationally established recording artist, Swiss/American vocalist Beat Kaestli is now celebrating a ten year touring anniversary with the release of his first live CD "Live in Europe". Recorded on tour in Austria, Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia in spring 2015, "Live in Europe" is a look back at Kaestli's accomplished recording career, spanning 5 studio albums to date and a preview of new arrangements and compositions. His unique interpretations of international standards, French chansons, Swiss folksongs and stunning original compositions have thrilled audiences across the globe and Kaestli's creative way of blending various styles, from R&B, Latin Rhythms to World Music, in Jazz, presents this uniquely American art form in his own, completely new and unforgettable fashion.
All tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum
August 20 (Sunday) at 6:00PM
Birthday Celebration of Borislav Strulev with Friends!
From classical to jazz and all with cello. World-renowned cellist Borislav Strulev has been fascinating audiences on some of the world's most prestigious stages since his U.S. debut at the Kennedy Center in 1993 arranged on initiative of Isaac Stern, Former World Bank President James Wolfensohn and Byron Janis.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 22 (Monday) at 7:00PM
Keala Settle & Frank Wildhorn: For the First Time LIVE
The Broadway at Birdland concert series is thrilled to announce that multi-Grammy and Tony Award-nominated composer/producer Frank Wildhorn will be joined by Tony Award-nominated singer/actress Keala Settle (currently starring in Waitress) in "Keala Settle & Frank Wildhorn: For The First Time LIVE" on Monday, August 22 at 7pm. The concert will feature Settle on vocals and Wildhorn at the piano.
All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum
August 23-27 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM
The Jazz Masters Play Monk with John Abercrombie, Joey Baron, Dave Liebman, Steve Swallow
Four contemporary iconoclasts come together at Birdland to play the distinctively angular compositions of pianist Thelonious Monk.
All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum
August 28 (Sunday) at 6:00PM
Joanna Strand and Friends
Sensational jazz- cabaret songstress, Joanna Strand, brings her 'beautiful, pure and richly melodic voice' (John Etheridge) to Birdland with original arrangements of songs by Mendes, Arlen, Rodgers, Peggy Lee, Joni Mitchell and Ann Hampton Calloway. Joanna is joined by pianist/ arranger John Bailey, with Steve Doyle on double bass.
All tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum
August 28 (Sunday) at 9:00PM & 11:00PM
Ken Peplowksi Quartet
"Ken Peplowski is arguably the greatest living jazz clarinetist" - Russell Davies, BBC2
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 29 (Monday) at 7:00PM
Trent Armand Kendall + Brass Illusion in "This Crazy Love"
The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that Trent Armand Kendall and the band, Brass ILLUSION (under the direction of Marty Ash), will perform "This Crazy Love" on the stage of the historic music room on Monday, August 29 at 7pm.
All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum
August 30-September 3 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM
Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration
Featuring Vincent Herring, Greg Osby, Eric Alexander, Helen Sung, Lonnie Plaxico, Billy Drummond and Sheila Jordan
Born August 29th, 1920, Charlie "Bird" Parker was one of the most influential and iconic artists in jazz history. As the central figure in the development of bebop in the 1940s Bird was a legendary figure in his own lifetime and was idolized by those who worked with him including Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Bud Powell and MiLes Davis. He was the inspiration for Birdland and practically defined its mission as the home for modern jazz in New York City. Since his death in 1955 at age 34 Bird has inspired every subsequent generation of jazz artist and left a rich legacy of distinctive compositions and signature melodic vocabulary that still informs every style of jazz. For his celebration Birdland presents a group of jazz all-stars who can move seamlessly between classic and contemporary Bird-inspired material
All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum
Birdland will also feature the following recurring monthly engagements:
August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (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
August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (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
August 5, 12, 19, 26 (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
August 6, 13, 20, 27 (Saturdays) at 6:00PM
Eric Comstock and Jay Leonhardt
Pianist/singer, Eric Comstock, returns to Birdland with star bassist/songwriter, Jay Leonhart, for songs by everyone from George Gershwin to George Harrison. Their collaboration began with a recording several years ago, and Eric and Jay's CD "All Hart" went on to win an A+ in Entertainment Weekly. Since then, these two masters have played separately and together around the country and around the world. Join them at Birdland for a party where the music and the stories are equally great. Escape the August heat with some cool tunes at Birdland!
All tickets $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, visit www.BirdlandJazz.com or follow BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB on Twitter: @birdlandjazz, Facebook, Instagram, and on Pinterest.
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