João Bosco, Gabrielle Cavassa, Joey Alexander, Bill Charlap and More Coming Up At Birdland Jazz
Lineup also includes Gabrielle Cavassa, Joey Alexander, Bill Charlap, Peter Bernstein, Robin McKelle, Allison Miller, and additional artists.
Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater have announced their May lineup featuring performances by João Bosco, Gabrielle Cavassa, Joey Alexander, Bill Charlap, and more.
The schedule includes nightly sets, weekend residencies, and returning weekly series. Performances will take place throughout May at both venues in New York City.
April 28 - May 2 — João Bosco 80th Birthday Celebration with Special Guest Anat Cohen
April 28 - May 2 (Tuesday-Saturday) 7:00 & 9:30 PM (4/28-30); 8:30 & 10:30 PM (5/1-2) – Birdland Jazz Club
João Bosco 80th Birthday Celebration with Special Guest Anat Cohen (except 5/1)
The master of Brazilian music João Bosco turns 80 this year, and his US tour included a week-long appearance at Birdland as April turns into May. During his 50 years as a performer, and across 31 records as a leader, a Lifetime Award from the Latin Grammys, 2 Latin Grammy wins and 10 nominations, and universal recognition as one of Brazilian song's greatest practitioners, João Bosco has carved a beautiful life of sound, uniting the messages of samba, bossa nova, jazz, black American rhythm, and the sounds of his own Lebanese heritage. Notable compositions like “O Bêbado e a Equilibrista,” “Papel Mache,” “Kid Cavaquinho", “Incompatibilidade de Gênios,” and “A Nível De” have been shining jewels in his career, which began in the early 1970s with beloved vocalist Elis Reginas singing many of his compositions; and when his music reached wide American audiences in the late 1980s, he continued an upward climb toward greater and greater notoriety as one of the world's most captivating composer-performers, collaborating with Joao Gilberto, Caetano Veloso, the great Antonio Carlos Jobim, and lyricist Vinicius de Moraes. Do not miss this amazing opportunity to hear Bosco, who is joined by the incredible reedist Anat Cohen every night except Friday. Produced by Pat Philips. Sponsored by Intercontinental Hotel Times Square and The Consulate General of Brazil in New York.
$50 tables / $40 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 1-3 — Gabrielle Cavassa
May 1-3 (Friday-Sunday) 7:00 & 9:30 PM – Birdland Theater
Gabrielle Cavassa
A uniquely disarming, highly individual voice, the young Gabrielle Cavassa debuts her recording Diavolo (Blue Note), on May 1st, the first night of her three-night residency at the Theater. Cavassa possesses the cutting-edge of a self-aware artist, the mind of a newcomer, and the soul of an old master. First-Prize Winner of the 2021 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, she released her self-titled debut, Gabrielle Cavassa, in 2020 on Jazz Fest Records; in 2023, she was the featured guest on Joshua Redman's critically-acclaimed where are we (Blue Note) with DownBeat Magazine calling her a “star in the making”; and this new outing represents a confident step out into the light of jazz's upper echelons. Produced by Redman and Blue Note's legendary Don Was, Diavolo features a jaw-dropping yet intimate cast: drum legend Brian Blade, bass master Larry Grenadier, and the young phenom Paul Cornish on piano support the singer's incredibly emotional delivery and impossible to ignore talent. Stereophile wrote that Cavassa's “voice gets under your skin. It is idiosyncratic…trustworthy in its clarity…physical in its intimacy.” One not to be missed.
$40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 2 — Quintin Harris
May 2 (Saturday) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club
Quintin Harris
An acolyte of Birdland favorite and master pianist Bill Charlap, Quintin Harris performs with a sensibility beyond his years. The New York City Jazz Record writes: “The classic American Songbook has rarely felt so authentic.” Fast-rising in New York City's songbook and bebop circuits, Harris has brought his trio several times to the Birdland stage, and has been a frequent guests in Susie Mosher's Tuesday-night “The Lineup” at the Theater. New York performances at Dizzy's Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Jazz Club at the Aman Hotel, The Gotham Jazz Festival, Chelsea Table + Stage, Minton's Playhouse, Jazz On Main—as well as performances with The Bria Skonberg Quintet and a top-5 Finalist spot in the American Jazz Piano Competition in Savannah, Georgia—have established Harris as a confident voice in the newest generation of jazz artists. Performing dexterously on both piano and vocals, he'll employ his suave baritone on American Songbook standards while crafting nimble piano lines.
$40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 3 — David DeJesus and the Boptet – Miles Davis Centennial Celebration
May 3 (Sunday) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club
David DeJesus and the Boptet – Miles Davis Centennial Celebration
Normally, saxophonist David DeJesus's Boptet celebrates the music of Charlie “Yardbird” Parker, the giant of American music and namesake of Birdland Jazz Club. This performance, therefore, is a special occasion. As May 26th is Miles Davis's centennial birthday, the Boptet will direct its focus toward this legend—who got his start performing with Parker's band. DeJesus will lead the group in new arrangements of Miles's compositions, drawing from the many eras of his artistry: early bebop, the cool period, the First Great Quintet, the fiery Second Great Quintet, and his explorations in funk, the avant garde, and fusion. Altoist DeJesus is a master musician fluent across Latin, jazz and dozens of other styles, and he serves, too, as the director of the Birdland Big Band and the Birdland Latin Jazz Orchestra. A fixture on the New York City music scene for three decades, he has performed with the best of the best. Gather to celebrate this weekend: Miles Davis lives.
$40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 4 — Karen Mack
May 4 (Monday) 7:00 PM – Birdland Jazz Club
Karen Mack
Karen Mack is a multi-award-winning jazz vocalist based in New York City with creative roots in jazz, folk, and swing. A longtime favorite with audiences and critics alike, Karen has performed coast to coast, including appearances at Carnegie Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center. For this evening at Birdland, she returns with a joyful new set that blends contemporary jazz classics and reinvented standards with finds from leading female songwriters on the New York jazz scene.
$30 tables / $20 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 5-9 — Joey Alexander Quartet Featuring: Jaleel Shaw and Laura Anglade
May 5-9 (Tuesday-Saturday) 7:00 & 9:30 PM (5/5-7); 8:30 & 10:30 PM (5/8-9) – Birdland Jazz Club
Joey Alexander Quartet Featuring: Jaleel Shaw and Laura Anglade
3x Grammy nominee and early piano prodigy Joey Alexander returns to Birdland with new fire and a new band. Featuring saxophonist Jaleel Shaw and vocalist Laura Anglade, the ensemble continues Alexander’s collaborations with leading voices in jazz.
$50 tables / $40 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 8-10 — Peter Bernstein Quartet
May 8-10 (Friday-Sunday) 7:00 & 9:30 PM – Birdland Theater
Peter Bernstein Quartet
Born and raised in New York City, guitarist Peter Bernstein has built a career spanning more than three decades, performing and recording with major figures in jazz. For this engagement, his quartet includes Aaron Goldberg, Doug Weiss, and Kush Abadey.
$40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 9 — Caelan Cardello
May 9 (Saturday) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club
Caelan Cardello
A young pianist recognized for his technical facility and expressive style, Caelan Cardello has performed at major New York venues and received multiple awards, including the BMI Foundation’s Future Jazz Master Award.
$40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 10 — Jonathan Karrant with the Joe Alterman Trio
May 10 (Sunday) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club
Jonathan Karrant with the Joe Alterman Trio
Vocalist Jonathan Karrant performs alongside pianist Joe Alterman and an ensemble of musicians, presenting selections from their album Live in Concert.
$40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 11 — VIRTUAL HALSTON
May 11 (Monday) 7:00 PM – Birdland Jazz Club
VIRTUAL HALSTON
The web series created by Julie Halston returns for a live presentation featuring storytelling and conversation with playwright Paul Rudnick.
$40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum / $20 Livestream
May 12-16 — Bill Charlap Trio (Week 1)
May 12-16 (Tuesday-Saturday) 7:00 & 9:30 PM (5/12-14); 8:30 & 10:30 PM (5/15-16) – Birdland Jazz Club
Bill Charlap Trio (Week 1)
The Bill Charlap Trio returns for the first of two consecutive weeks of performances, presenting interpretations of the Great American Songbook.
$50 tables / $40 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 15-17 — Michael Wolff Quartet
May 15-17 (Friday-Sunday) 7:00 & 9:30 PM – Birdland Theater
Michael Wolff Quartet
The Michael Wolff Quartet returns with a lineup including Camille Thurman, Darrel Green, and Andy McKee.
$40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 17 — Sinatra With Style RETURNS: Hits and Rare Gems Swung by Richard Cortez
May 17 (Sunday) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club
Sinatra With Style RETURNS: Hits and Rare Gems Swung by Richard Cortez
Vocalist Richard Cortez returns with a tribute program featuring selections associated with Frank Sinatra.
$40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 18 — Jason Yeager and Justin Poindexter: Don't Fence Me In – The Music of Cole Porter
May 18 (Monday) 7:00 PM – Birdland Jazz Club
Jason Yeager and Justin Poindexter: Don't Fence Me In – The Music of Cole Porter
A program featuring arrangements of songs by Cole Porter performed by pianist Jason Yeager and guitarist Justin Poindexter with guest artists.
$35 tables / $25 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 19-23 — Bill Charlap Trio (Week 2)
May 19-23 (Tuesday-Saturday) 7:00 & 9:30 PM (5/19-21); 8:30 & 10:30 PM (5/22-23) – Birdland Jazz Club
Bill Charlap Trio (Week 2)
The Bill Charlap Trio returns for a second week of performances.
$50 tables / $40 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 22-24 — Robin McKelle
May 22-24 (Friday-Sunday) 7:00 & 9:30 PM – Birdland Theater
Robin McKelle
Robin McKelle performs selections from her tribute to Ella Fitzgerald alongside a trio of musicians.
$40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 24-25 — Steven Feifke Trio
May 24-25 (Sunday-Monday) 5:30 PM (5/24); 7:00 PM (5/25) – Birdland Jazz Club
Steven Feifke Trio
Steven Feifke performs in a trio setting following recent recordings and collaborations across the jazz world.
$40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 26-30 — The Gil Evans Project directed by Ryan Truesdell
May 26-30 (Tuesday-Saturday) 7:00 & 9:30 PM (5/26-28); 8:30 & 10:30 PM (5/29-30) – Birdland Jazz Club
The Gil Evans Project directed by Ryan Truesdell
The Gil Evans Project returns with performances celebrating the work of Gil Evans and his collaborations with Miles Davis.
$50 tables / $40 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 29-31 — Allison Miller's Boom Tic Boom
May 29-31 (Friday-Sunday) 7:00 & 9:30 PM – Birdland Theater
Allison Miller's Boom Tic Boom
Drummer Allison Miller leads her ensemble in performances blending jazz with elements of rock, funk, and folk.
$40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 30 — La Tanya Hall
May 30 (Saturday) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club
La Tanya Hall
La Tanya Hall performs for one night only, presenting selections from her recent recording.
$40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
May 31 — Duduka Da Fonseca
May 31 (Sunday) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club
Duduka Da Fonseca
Drummer Duduka Da Fonseca performs with his ensemble in a program of Brazilian jazz.
$40 tables / $30 bar + $20 food/drink minimum
Monthly Engagements
Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks
May 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26 (Mondays and Tuesdays) 5:30 & 8:30 PM – Birdland Theater
Jim Caruso's Cast Party
May 4, 11, 18, 25 (Mondays) 9:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club
David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band
May 6, 13, 20, 27 (Wednesdays) 5:30 PM – Birdland Theater
Frank Vignola's Guitar Night
May 6, 13, 20, 27 (Wednesdays) 8:30 PM – Birdland Theater
The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band
May 7, 14, 21, 28 (Thursdays) 5:30 PM & 8:30 PM – Birdland Theater
The Birdland Big Band
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (Fridays) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club
Bill Charlap Solo Piano
May 16, 23 (Saturdays) 5:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club
The Birdland Latin Jazz Orchestra
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (Sundays) 8:30 & 10:30 PM – Birdland Jazz Club
All performances are subject to venue policies and ticketing requirements.
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