Count Basie News

Monday night found me back at Zeb's on the West Side for another of Will Friedwald's iconoclastic 'Clip Joints'--this one in honor of the Billie Holiday Centennial. During a year that is already producing a glut of celebratory events (given that it's also the Frank Sinatra Centennial year), leave it to the intriguing and obsessive writer/journalist/producer to come up with something different. Instead of a roster of vocalists live or on film, performing material we now think of reflexively as belonging to Lady Day, we were offered the singular piano interpretations of Lara Downes, recollections by alto saxophonist Jerry Dodgion (who at age 22 played with Holiday), and eclectic clips from television and film appearances of the artist herself.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that singer Natalie Douglas will return to Birdland for a new monthly series, 'Hello Dolly...The Music of Dolly Parton,' on Mondays, April 20, May 18, July 6 and August 10 at 7pm. The concert is a celebration of the beloved singer, actor, and songwriter.

Just in time for the 100th anniversary of the birth of Billie Holiday on April 7, 2015, Universal Music Enterprises honors the iconic artist with the simultaneous digital release of 17 classic Holiday albums.

On April 2, 2015 The Very Best of Celtic Thunder tour which will visit 45 cities across the US and Canada in the spring of 2015 played a stop at The Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ.Check out photos from the tour below!

International touring and recording artist Clairdee joins forces with the Capital Jazz Orchestra, Clayton 'Skip' Poole, Music Director, for a very special 100th birthday tribute to the great “Lady Day”, Billie Holiday, on Friday, May 15, at 7:30pm. Based in San Francisco, Clairdee will be performing such Billie classics as “Travelin' Light,” “Any Old Time,” and “God Bless the Child,” along with many other selections featuring both the big band and the more intimate CJO combo.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra presents Brahms' Concerto for Violin and Cello-featuring Concertmaster Eric Wyrick and Principal Cello Jonathan Spitz-Mozart's Symphony No. 39 and Strauss' Serenade for Winds, April 30-May 3

Following the success of the previous two festivals, the 3rd Annual New York Hot Jazz Festival -- produced by the impresario Michael 'Misha' Katsobashvili, performer Bria Skonberg, and composer/producer Patrick Soluri (of Prohibition Productions and The Salon) -- returns to The Players this year and promises some of the biggest stars of the Hot Jazz and swing scenes in a summit of uptown and downtown talent spanning three generations.

Centennial Sinatra starring Steve Lippia is a celebration of the life and music of the twentieth century's most remarkable singer of the Great American Songbook.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra presents Dvorak's Fifth Symphony and Romance, alongside works by Ravel and Dohnanyi, April 24-26 in Newark and Red Bank.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its performances running March 30 - April 5, including Sheila Jordan with The Steve Kuhn Trio, Anita Gillette, Barbara Carroll, Michelle Walker, and more. Scroll down for details!

The Count Basie Orchesta, led by trumpeter Scotty Barnart, makes its first appearance at the Gallo Center for the Arts tonight, March 20. Curtain is at 7:30 pm.

Birdland Jazz Club is proud to present Ms. Lisa Fischer for THREE NIGHTS ONLY, April 23-25, 2015.

William 'Count' Basie started The Count Basie Orchestra in 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri. Within a year, America was listening in on popular radio shows throughout the country to hear what would become 'The greatest swing band in all the land!' A phenomenon was born in 1935 that is still going strong today! Harris Center for the Arts is proud to present this legendary orchestra.

Centennial Sinatra starring Steve Lippia is a celebration of the life and music of the twentieth century's most remarkable singer of the Great American Songbook.

As a followup to last year's critically acclaimed release 'Brother Brother', guitarist Thom Douvan stretches into some different territory on his new album 'All Over Again'.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for March 23 - March 29, featuring the John Abercrombie Quartet, Anika Larsen with Jessie Mueller & Jerrod Spector, Barbara Carroll, Peter Mazza and more. Scroll down for details!

From swingin' Sinatra to Carole King chart-toppers, from Billy Joel hits to Broadway showstoppers and aerial flyers, The Philly POPS' 37th season features all of this and more! The nationally recognized Philly POPS Music Director Michael Krajewski continues to work his magic and thrill audiences as he plans a dazzling new lineup of performances for the 2015-2016 Season.

The Count Basie Orchesta, led by trumpeter Scotty Barnart, will make its first appearance at the Gallo Center for the Arts on Friday, March 20. Curtain is at 7:30 pm.

Singer-songwriter Jackson Browne announces the second leg of his 2015 U.S. Summer tour to support his new album, Standing In The Breach. Details and special benefit seating for the September dates are available at www.jacksonbrowne.com.