Gianni Valenti News

Seven-time Broadway veteran, Max von Essen, celebrates the release of his first solo cd in a concert at Birdland

Monday nights belong to Jim Caruso's Cast Party at the legendary Birdland and now in less than a year the place to be on Tuesday night is Birdland's new downstairs theatre and The Line Up with Susie Mosher.

The man who has a supreme dexterity with words, who possess an ability to weave them together and create harmonious and engrossing ideas came to see the man ( and woman) who do the same with music notes last night at Birdland. Stephen Holden the esteemed music and theatre critic of the New York Times, now retired came to hear John Pizzarelli and his special but not surprising guest (wife) Jessica Molaskey.

Trumpeter and crooner Benny Benack III returned to the Birdland stage on Monday, July 15, with his inimitable brand of energetic, swingin' songs and irrepressible charisma. Benny presented music from his upcoming sophomore album titled 'A Lot of Livin' to Do.” Commemorating the release of one of the album's singles, he performed a duet of Gigi Gryce's 'Social Call,” which he performed on the recording with Veronica Swift, and in the concert with Aleta Moses. Benny was joined by Takeshi Ohbayashi on piano, Joe Peri on drums, Philip Norris on bass, with special guest vocalists Aleta Moses and Anais Reno, and Alex Claffy guesting on bass.

Mr. Finn's Cabaret at Barrington Stage Company has become one of the countries leading presenters of the art form of cabaret. The road going from Birdland and Feinstein's/54 Below to Pittsfield Ma. now also comes from Las Vegas. Clint Holmes, one of the main attractions on the strip and in nightclubs around the country came to Barrington Stage Company last night and made the Berkshires and Mr. Finn's officially become part of the nightclub circuit.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to present Christina Crawford's 'Mommie Dearest: The Musical' in concert on Monday, June 10.  The cast featured Tina Scariano as Christina and Dorothy Bishop as Joan, with an all-star cast.  Drew Wutke accompaned on piano, with Daniel Shevlin on cello.

Birdland Theater was thrilled to present singer/actor/host/legend John Davidson in concert on Monday, May 27.

Birdland was proud to present Broadway singer/dancer Ariana DeBose in concert on Monday, February 11. 

On Monday, January 27, Birdland hosted caricature artist Justin "Squigs" Robertson as special guest artist-in-residence at Jim Caruso's Cast Party.

On Saturday night, the ninth consecutive year of "A Swinging Birdland Christmas," starring Birdland regulars Klea Blackhurst, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch, opened at Birdland. This will be a limited engagement of 4 performances, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, December 22, 23, 24 and 25. All shows are at 5:30pm.

Celebrate the holiday season with Broadway Records first Christmas album, Michael Longoria: Merry Christmas Darling, available now at www.BroadwayRecords.com, Amazon.com, in stores and across digital platforms.

Just when you think you've heard all the great Jazz music imaginable over the years at Birdland, the 'Jazz Corner of the World' and Gianni Valenti present someone who raises the bar another notch. Vocalist Veronica Swift who defies gravity with her sensual voice, boundless technique, and creative melodic improvisations is a singer destined for musical super stardom. She also happens to be 24 and is already recognized around the country as one of the top young jazz singers. In the fall of 2015 Veronica won second place at the prestigious Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition. In 2016 she was asked to perform a concert of her own at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in NYC and she was a guest artist with Michael Feinstein at Jazz at Lincoln Center with the Tedd Firth Big Band with Marilyn Maye and Freda Payne. Veronica first appearance at Jazz at Lincoln Center was at age 11 when she performed at the 'Woman in Jazz' series at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola.

Birdland Theater, the new venue spawned from the legendary Birdland on 44th street had a 'soft' opening this summer, followed by a bunch of celebrity openings in September. It had another entertainment first last night because Jamie deRoy brought her friends and her renowned Jamie deRoy & friends Variety show to this great new performance space. The evening had all the glamour and excitement of a Broadway opening night, the kind of evening Ms. deRoy can usually be found at.

There's a Theme Park of music happening on 44th street and no matter what gate you choose to enter at Birdland great music is playing behind every door. You can spend a good portion of your night shuttling between the historic Birdland Stage and the new Birdland Theater with their line up of shows.

On September 10, the Broadway at Birdland concert series presented singer/songwriter Amanda McBroom, who returned to the historic stage with "My Favorite Things." Musical director Michele Brourman was at the piano, and Jared Egan was on bass.

Most times when Billy Stritch is at the keyboard he is WITH somebody. Liza, Tony, Marilyn (Maye), Linda (Lavin), Christine (Ebersole), Klea (Blackhurst), Ann Hampton Callaway and of course Jim Caruso. Every major music performer has at one time or another availed themselves of Billy's unique creativity as their pianist,arranger, vocalist, or conductor.

It's a good thing Gianni Valenti built the new Birdland Theater incorporating substantial soundproofing material. The screams and laughter coming from last night's audience would have alarmed the upstairs music lovers enjoying a great performance in the legendary 'Jazz Corner of The World'

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present 'More About The Melody,' hosted by Broadway cellist Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf. The one-night-only event took place on Monday, August 6.

On the Television show 'Lets Make A Deal' you're only a winner if you open one door. At Birdland last night you were a winner no matter what door you opened. On the legendary Jazz Stage it was John Pizzarelli with The Swing 7, arguably the most talented guitarist/vocalist/comic performer on the planet. The door to the new Birdland Theater brought you into Susie Mosher's Lineup. A room full of celebs and lucky New Yorkers got to see an 'insane' guest list of phenomenal performers in her wild, semi structured variety show. Both doors at Birdland led you to superlative entertainment last night but the surprise guests direct from the Broadway Stage of Waitress, Erich Bergen (Jersey Boys, Madame Secretary) and Katharine McPhee ( TV, Smash, Scorpion) made you a winner if you also chose the door to the Birdland Theater.

The acoustics of Birdland, usually employed to perfectly show off the music coming from some of the finest Jazz musicians in the world was also up to the task of accurately accommodating the elegant sounds from the cello and artistry of Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf. BroadwayWorld was there for this Broadway at Birdland special one-night only event. Check out the photos below.