Ben Allison Trio, Orfeh & More at 'ShowBiz After Hours' Coming Up at Birdland

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for March 28-April 3, featuring Ben Allison Trio, ShowBiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, Alicia Olatuja, and more. Scroll down for details!

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Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with the following acts:

March 28 (Monday) at 7PM

Piano Men with Brad Simmons, Eric Yves Garcia and Matt Baker

Three of New York's finest "Piano Men" take the stage together, each bringing down the house in their own charismatic and in imitable style! "Piano Men" was created and premiered in 2015 at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center by Director and Producer, John McDaniel. Brad Simmons, Eric Yves Garcia, and Matt Baker each take to the stage to present their own intimate set with the Piano.

All tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum

March 28 (Monday) 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

*March 29 (Tuesday) at 8:30PM & 11:00PM

Ben Allison Trio

Bassist/composer and Connecticut native Ben Allison has developed his own instantly identifiable sound. Known for his inspired arrangements, inventive grooves and hummable melodies, Ben draws from the jazz tradition and a range of influences from rock and folk to 20th century classical and world music traditions, seamlessly blending them into a cinematic, cohesive whole. In addition to his acclaimed groups, "Man Size Safe," "Peace Pipe,"and "Medicine Wheel," Ben has collaborated with a wide variety of artists including Mamadou Diabate, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, Joey Arias, tap dancers Jimmy Slide and Gregory Hines, and US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky.

All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

March 30 (Wednesday) at 5:30PM

David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band

Inspired by the noble jazz pioneers Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton and their colleagues, David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band breathes life and passion into America's own great art form. Now in its 14th year of residency at Birdland, the weekly post-workday engagement is the city's best musical bargain! Tuba player David Ostwald leads a rotating lineup that features talents such as clarinetist Anat Cohen, trombonist/vocalist Wycliffe Gordon, pianist Ehud Asherie, drummer Marion Felder and more!

All tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum

March 31 (Thursday) at 6:00PM

Dena deRose

Dena deRose is an acclaimed American jazz pianist and singer. Her newest recording "We Won't Forget You...An Homage To Shirley Horn", released in 2014, features her trio of 15+ years (Martin Wind and Matt Wilson) with special guests Eric Alexander, Jeremy Pelt, and Gary Smulyan.

All tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum

March 30-31 (Wednesday-Thursday) at 8:30PM & 11PM

Melissa Aldana Trio

Acclaimed tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana follows up her 2014 Concord release Melissa Aldana & Crash Trio with the explorative and deeply swinging "Back Home," this time released on the Wommusic label. Bassist Pablo Menares is a fellow native of Santiago, Chile, and drummer Jochen Rueckert brings a supple and unpredictable rhythmic élan to the session. These three musicians turn on a dime and project an uncommonly full orchestral sound, rich in spiritual intensity, all in the absence of a harmony instrument.

All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum

April 1 (Friday) at 5:15PM

The Birdland Big Band

With Guest Conductor Rob Middleton

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

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

Alicia Olatuja

Once Alicia Olatuja moved to New York her reputation as a supreme jazz vocalist began to take shape. The New York media lauded her performances with her husband, bassist Michael Olatuja, as well as her performance at the 2013 presidential inauguration. On her debut album, Timeless, Olatuja was joined by a brilliant ensemble of players including Christian McBride, Jon Cowherd, Christian Sands, Ulysses Owens Jr. and Michael Olatuja, which speaks volumes to her versatile vocal style. When not performing, she is a voice educator at Brooklyn Arts Council. She was featured at the 2015 Festival with Billy Childs and the Laura Nyro project. Featuring Jon Cowherd (piano), David Rosenthal (guitar), Michael Olatuja (bass) and Otis Brown III (drums).

All tickets $40, $10 food/drink minimum

April 2 (Saturday) 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

April 3 (Sunday) at 6:00PM

Show Biz After Hours with Frank DiLella

With Special Guests Orfeh, Andy Karl, Mario Cantone and Telly Leung

"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 is performer and composer, Randy Redd. The event is taped in front of a live audience and airs on Time Warner Cable's Video On Demand System. Very special guest stars include Orfeh, Andy Karl, Mario Cantone and Telly Leung. Frank's past guests have included Jonathan Groff, Laura Osnes and Cory Cott.

All tickets $30, $10 food/drink minimum

April 3 (Sunday) 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

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Purchase tickets at: www.BirdlandJazz.com, and 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.

For more information, visit www.BirdlandJazz.com or follow BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB on Twitter: @birdlandjazz, Facebook, Instagram, and on Pinterest.

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