Stacey Kent, Musette Explosion, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and More Set for Birdland This January

By: BWW News Desk Jan. 01, 2016

Birdland Jazz Club recently announced its January 2016 schedule, featuring Stacey Kent, Jeff Lorber Fusion, The Birdland Big Band, Musette Explosion, Showbiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, Mack Avenue Superband, Birdland Jazz Party, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and more. Scroll down for details!

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with the following acts:

January 1-2 (Friday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM

The Birdland Big Band

Directed by Tommy Igoe

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

January 4 (Monday) at 7:00PM

Neil Bartman "New Songs for A New Year"

Start the new year with an evening of new Neil Bartram songs from upcoming projects including Something Wicked This Way Comes, and Bedknobs & Broomsticks, as well as favorite songs from Neil's catalog (The Story of My Life, The Theory of Relativity, and more). A cast of old friends and new will join Neil in this intimate celebration of the beginning of 2016.

All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

January 5-9 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM

Eliane Elias

Pianist/singer/songwriter, Eliane Elias, is known for her distinctive and immediately recognizable musical style which blends her Brazilian roots and her sensuous, alluring voice with her virtuosic instrumental jazz, classical and compositional skills. Made in Brazil, her newest recording for Concord Jazz, marks a musical homecoming for Elias. In her three-decade long career as a solo artist, Made in Brazil results from the first time she's recorded a disc in her native Brazil since moving to the United States in 1981.

All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum

January 11 (Monday) at 7:00PM

Show Biz After Hours with Frank DiLella

With Special Guest Jonathan Groff

"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 On Demand System. Hamilton star, Jonathan Groff, will be Frank's special guest on December 11.

All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

January 12-16 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM

Stacy Sullivan "It's A Good Day: A Tribute to Miss Peggy Lee"

Acclaimed recording artist Stacy Sullivan pays tribute to the extraordinary music of singer, composer, and actress Miss Peggy Lee in "It's a Good Day." Fresh with courageous takes on Lee's famous canon, including "Fever," "Lover," "Johnny Guitar," "I Love Being Here With You," "Where Did They Go," and "He's a Tramp," Sullivan joins forces with Jon Weber, Steve Doyle, and Troy Fannin to evoke Lee, while continuing to apply their own stamp to each and every song.

All seats $40, $10 food/drink minimum

January 14 (Thursday) at 6:00PM

Oran Etkin "What's New? Reimagining Benny Goodman"

Acclaimed bandleader, composer, clarinetist, Oran Etkin, salutes Benny Goodman and the launch of the swing era on "What's New? Reimagining Benny Goodman" featuring Sullivan Fortner (piano), Byron Carrott (vibes), Alvester Garnett (drums) and Charenee Wade (vocals).

All seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum

January 16 (Saturday) at 6:00PM

Jane Monheit "The Songbook Sessions: The Music of Ella Fitzgerald"

Jane Monheit has been a leading light and a wonderful role model since emerging as a finalist in the Thelonious Monk Institute's 1998 vocal competition. In addition to her own recordings, she has worked alongside many illustrious artists who have easily recognized her talent and commitment to hard work. She currently is building a show and a recording of the music of one of the grand stars of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald. The show is entitled "Jane Monheit Sings Ella Fitzgerald-The Songbook Sessions." She speaks of Ella with reverence and says: "When I was growing up, listening to music and singing along with records was the greatest joy of my life. Above all, beyond any other artist, I loved and revered Ella."

All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

January 17 (Sunday) at 6:00PM

Karrin Allyson

After a jam-packed career with Concord Jazz (thirteen albums and four Grammy nominations) and a recent self-produced holiday album, "Yuletide Hideaway," that won four stars from Downbeat, vocalist and pianist Karrin Allyson released "Many a New Day, Karrin Allyson Sings Rodgers & Hammerstein." It's her debut for the Motema label and a return to her musical past.

All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum

January 18 (Monday) at 7:00PM

Merman's Apprentice

Critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated singer Stacey Kent sings from the soul, telling her stories with faultless phrasing and a lucid, enchanting voice. Her recent CD release "Marcos Valle & Stacey Kent Live," marked the 50th career anniversary of the Brazilian songwriter, arranger, and performer Marcos Valle. Stacey's previous Brazilian-flavored CD, "The Changing Lights," (EMI) a follow-up to "Dreamer In Concert," (her first ever live album) the Grammy nominated, "Breakfast on the Morning Tram," (2007) and all-French, "Raconte-moi," (2009). Stacey's band features Jim Tomlinson (sax) whose songwriting partnership with famed novelist Kazuo Ishiguro has been a central plank in her career.

All seats $50, $10 food/drink minimum

January 19-23 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30 & 11:00PM

Stacey Kent

All seats $50, $10 food/drink minimum

January 25 (Monday) at 7:00PM

Brian Gallagher & Friends

Brian Gallagher will celebrate his birthday with a night of original music performed by a collection of New York City's best singers. There will be performances by Megan Hilty ("Smash," Wicked, 9 to 5), Eden Espinosa (Wicked), Matt Cusson (Singer/Songwriter), C arly Hughes (Pippin) Celisse Henderson (Godspell), Carrie Manolakos (Wicked), Ben Cameron (Wicked), Sean Jenness (The Last Ship), and many more. The show will include songs from Gallagher's critically acclaimed album, "All That's Ahead," and a slew of new material from his upcoming concept musical, Brownstone, and several other projects currently in the works.

All seats $30-50, $10 food/drink minimum

January 26-30 (Tuesday-Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM

Mack Avenue SuperBand with Gary Burton, Christian McBride Trio, Tia Fuller, Sean Jones

The MACK AVENUE SUPERBAND has become synonymous with stellar line-ups consisting of established and up and coming jazz artists with pronounced identities and original grooves. This year's group presented exclusively for the 2015-2016 season and featuring Gary Burton and Christian McBride as musical directors, tops them all.

All seats $45, $10 food/drink minimum

January 28 (Thursday) at 6:00PM

Musette Explosion

Three of New York's most in-demand virtuoso musicians, each with a distinctive voice on his instrument, explore and expand on Parisian musette. They bring this multicultural dancehall music to new places through the highest improvisational communication, emotionally honest performances, and original compositions. Marcus, Matt and Will keep busy backing up some of the world's foremost artists (Regina Carter, Paul Simon, Henry Threadgill, Mark O'Connor, David Krakauer, Catherine Russell, David Byrne and others). Over the last fifteen years, they've indulged in a labor of love: exploring the beautiful and challenging French musette repertoire. They may be the only accordion/guitar/tuba trio to spend a week on Billboard's "Jazz Album" charts.

All seats $25, $10 food/drink minimum

January 31-February 1 (Sunday-Monday) at 6:00PM

Linda Lavin "My First Farewell Concert"

The show, wryly entitled "My First Farewell Concert," will be Lavin's personal story told in songs she loves. She will perform favorites from the Great American/Brazilian/Yiddish Songbooks, with Billy Stritch at the piano, Steve Bakunas on drums, and special guest Aaron Weinstein on violin. Songs included will be "You've Got Possibilities," "No More Blues," and a medley of songs recorded by the late, great Bobby Short.

All seats $35-45, $10 food/drink minimum

Birdland will also feature the following recurring monthly engagements:

January 4, 11, 18, 25 (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

January 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (Fridays) at 5:15PM

The Birdland Big Band

With Guest Conductor Rob Middleton

All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum

January 2, 9, 23, 30 (Saturdays) 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

January 3, 10, 24 (Sundays) at 6:00PM

Birdland Jazz Party

Hosted by Carole Bufford

Daniel Reichard, Broadway star and concert singer, returns to Birdland on December13th and 20th with his eighth New York City holiday concert, Daniel Reichard's "Under the Mistletoe!" They yuletide celebration, featuring a rousing eight-piece band, will include holiday favorites originally popularized by artists like Bing Crosby, Tony Bennett, and Johnny Mathis. Reichard's holiday show has become a yearly tradition in the Big Apple, offering nostalgic musical classics, heartfelt and often hilarious Christmas stories, and unexpected guest stars and surprises. Jesse Vargas will serve as musical director and arranger. Come see what NY1's Roma Torre describes as "an instant rush of holiday spirit. Reichard reclaims the pure magic of Christmas." If you don't want this heartwarming time of the year to pass you by, join us for this inspiring, joyful evening.

All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (Sundays) 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

Purchase tickets at www.BirdlandJazz.com, or 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.

Visit www.BirdlandJazz.com or follow BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB on Twitter: @birdlandjazz, Facebook, Instagram, and on Pinterest.

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