Gianni Valenti News

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presented Tony Award-winning actress/singer CHRISTINE EBERSOLE and Grammy Award-winning composer/pianist/singer BILLY STRITCH in 'Our Favorite Things' last night and BroadwayWorld was there.  

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present the return of "We're Gonna Have To Ask You to Leave," a benefit concert to kick out cancer, on Monday, November 2 at 7pm. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Last night, October 12, the Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to present LYRICALLY, THE SONGS OF ALAN AND MARILYN BERGMAN, featuring Alan Bergman with Mike Renzi (piano) and David Finck (bass). Scroll down for photos from the concert!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present acclaimed singer, actor and impressionist Christina Bianco, who returned to the historic stage with her solo show, PARTY OF ONE, this past Sunday and Monday. Scroll down for photos from the concerts!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presented Christina Bianco with her solo show 'Party of One' last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

On Monday, August 31, the Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present the 17th installment of singer/songwriter Victoria Shaw's UNDER THE COVERS. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Birdland Jazz Club recently announced the opening of The Birdland Theater. The new convertible 100-seat venue will occupy the lower level of Birdland Jazz Club at 315 West 44th Street and open in the spring of 2016. CLICK HERE to take a tour of the new space with Jim Caruso!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present Klea Blackhurst in her return to the Birdland stage with EVERYTHING THE TRAFFIC WILL ALLOW, on Monday, August 24. BroadwayWorld has photos from the concert below!

Jim Caruso's Broadway at Birdland concert series had all the traffic Monday night as Klea Blackhurst brought her hit concert, 'Everything the Traffic Will Allow' to the Birdland stage.This is Blackhurst's loving tribute to the songs made famous by the quintessential stage personality Ethel Merman. Not an impersonator and not an impressionist, Blackhurst offered a paean to the great Broadway legend that serves as a potent and happy reminder of Merman's sheer, undeniable importance to both the history of twentieth century entertainment and the iconic composers like Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Jerry Herman, who wrote songs just for her.

Some more music history was made on the Birdland stage last night and Broadwayworld's Stephen Sorokoff was there. Two entertainers who have never performed together were on the Birdland stage last night.  For those of us who were in the audience for this under the radar/radio event, it turned out to be a not to be forgotten evening that added to the long list of Birdland historic musical moments.  Ann Hampton Callaway taped the first segment of her new radio program "This Is Cabaret" and had as her guest at the inaugural show none other than Steve Tyrell, a legend in the world of male pop/jazz singers.  His unique sensual voice is unmistakable and loved by millions via his recordings, movie soundtracks, and live appearances.  Steve is also a walking Wikipedia of the recording industry because of his career as a recording executive and producer.  He was there for many momentous musical creations as head of A&R for Scepter Records. Tyrell's singing "The Way You Look Tonight" in the Father of the Bride movie starring Steve Martin made him a household name. 

Birdland Jazz Club is pleased to announce the opening of The Birdland Theater. The new convertible 100-seat venue will occupy the lower level of Birdland Jazz Club at 315 West 44th Street and open in the spring of 2016.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present Laura Osnes in concert on Monday, August 3. Osnes made her Birdland solo concert debut with an intimate show accompanied by pianist/musical director Fred Lassen in 'An Evening With Laura Osnes.' Her husband, Nathan Johnson, joined in on the musical fun on cajon. Scroll down for photos!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced the formation of AB Artists, Artist Management and Booking. The new venture will operate out of Birdland's offices at 315 West 44th Street in NYC and will provide artist services ranging from personal management and domestic booking to royalty administration, recording production and administration, and career development.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series welcomed Broadway leading man Clyde Alves in concert on Monday, July 20. BroadwayWorld has photos from the concert below!

Birdland was the scene of a very special show last night as friends and family gathered for the Wedding Celebration of Ann Hampton Callaway and Kari Strand. Broadway at Birdland and Jim Caruso's Cast Party have seen many famous and talented people on that legendary stage but it will be hard to top last night's list of guests. Broadwayworld was there and here are some of the friends and relatives of Ann and Kari.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presented Tony Yazbeck, the star of this season's On The Town revival in his Birdland solo debut on last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Yazbeck  heated up the Birdland stage in The Floor Above Me, a thrilling evening of tenor melodies and tenacious tap dancing, and will be joined by On The Town co-star Clyde Alves and tap dance sensation Melinda Sullivan ('So You Think You Can Dance,' 'Glee'). Musical direction and arrangements will be by Jerome Korman, and the evening is co-written and co-directed by Howard Emanuel & Tony Yazbeck. Jerome Korman/piano, Thomas Hubbard/bass, Tony Lewis/drums, Mark McGowan/trumpet.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to host the return of pianist/singer Steve Ross in "An Evening With Steve Ross" on Monday, May 25 at 7pm. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

Jamie deRoy came to Jim Caruso's Broadway at Birdland last night and Broadwayworld was there. In the world of show business everyone is always everyones friend. After 25 years of having enormously talented friends perform on her stages and loyal friends fill the seats at her shows, the consistency of participation points to the fact that most are real friends. Jamie's friends stick together. The hugs are real, the laughter is genuine, and the happy feeling everyone has after an episode of Jamie deRoy & friends always seems to linger in the air for many days after the show is over.  Such was the case of her latest entry in the series which always at this time of year features everything "TONY".

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to host the return of Broadway and concert star Daniel Reichard, who returned to Birdland on Sunday, May 10 at 6pm, with a show celebrating the music and lyrics of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The evening featured selections from the celebrated songwriting team's catalogue, including rarely-heard jewels and treasured classics alike. Scroll down for photos!

 Birdland is 63, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra is 80, and  Frank Sinatra is 100.  Gianni Valenti, Birdland owner announced the orchestra and the swinging engine of the Basie Band blasted off with "Come Fly With Me" at the "Jazz Corner of the World" last night. Regardless of how good the fidelity is on your Beats Headphones and McIntosh Amplifier, it doesn't come close to the sound being heard on 44th Street. The original charts might have some wear and tear from page turning by Basie musicians over the years, but the music was clear, precise, and  exciting as when the band made their home at Birdland in the 1950's. Scotty Barnhart is now the Director of The Count Basie Orchestra which has won 18 Grammy Awards and 20 Downbeat and Jazz Times polls. He follows in a long line of Jazz greats that have led the orchestra since Basie's passing in 1984. Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Brover Mitchell, Bill Hughes, and Dennis Mackrel have been prior directors.  Scotty pointed out that the band might have been formed in 1935, but they are very current and are on Facebook, and have a great website. Carmen Bradford, a Basie choice supplied the vocals.