Count Basie News

Fan-favorite guest conductor Byron Stripling returns to the POPS with a 's marvelous star-studded array of guest vocalists and musicians, celebrating beloved American music legend George Gershwin in 'S Wonderful 'S Gershwin, May 13–15 at the Kimmel Cultural Campus.

You won't want to miss the Jack Skleinsinger's dynamic final Highlights in Jazz concert for 2022, when today's top jazz players take to the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center stage to celebrate the Return of the Jam Session. The 49th season final is is set for May 12. It features Peter and Will Anderson on saxophones, flutes and clarinets; trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, pianist Ted Rosenthal, drummer Victor Lewis, trumpeter Brian Lynch and guitarist James Chirillo, playing together for the very first time.

As previously announced Starr will commence the first leg of shows this Spring on May 27 in Canada at Casino Rama concluding on June 26 in Clearwater Florida. The tour will resume in the Fall on September 23 in Bridgeport, Connecticut and end on October 20 in Mexico City. 

The Philly POPS announced today that the 2022 kick-off of its popular Salute Series, Comcast NBCUniversal Memorial Salute, will take the stage on May 27, 2022 at 7 p.m at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Registration for military, veteran, police, firefighter, first responder, and frontline worker communities and their families will be available soon through affiliated bases and organizations. Free tickets are now available to the public.

It all started in November of 2021 when one of my friends was visiting New York City for the first time. Being the theatre fan I am, I insisted that we saw a Broadway show together. He suggested a show called David Byrne’s American Utopia. “Sounds good to me,” I responded, “but quick question - Who’s David Byrne?”

New Jersey Symphony Principal Bassoon Robert Wagner gives the East Coast premiere of Christopher Rouse's Bassoon Concerto, April 8–10. Music Director Xian Zhang conducts the program, which also features Nokuthula Ngwenyama's Primal Message, Mozart's “Jupiter” Symphony and Rossini's Overture to Guillaume Tell.

Brooklyn born comedian and podcast host Chris Distefano is getting ready to release his comedy special and debut comedy album. Many may know Chris Distefano from his breakout role on MTV’s Guy Code and spinoff Girl Code or any of the other TV roles he’s had over the years. Plus, check out his upcoming tour dates!

The U.S. leg of his worldwide tour will get things started with the tour set to launch on September 21, 2022 in Riverside, CA and continue on through November 19 with a final date in the States to take place in Dallas, TX. Satriani will then head over to Europe for rescheduled shows in early 2023.

Regarded as one of contemporary jazz's leading vocalists, Diane Schuur is as eclectic as she is brilliant. Schuur was blind from birth but gifted with perfect pitch and three-and-a-half-octave vocal range. With a recording career that spans over three decades and includes two GRAMMY Awards, Schuur's music has explored almost every corner of the American musical landscape.

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this April with a full slate of nightly performances! 

It all started in November of 2021 when one of my friends was visiting New York City for the first time. Being the theatre fan I am, I insisted that we saw a Broadway show together. He suggested a show called David Byrne’s American Utopia. “Sounds good to me,” I responded, “but quick question - Who’s David Byrne?”

The South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center presents SW!NG OUT, a Joyce Theater production directed by Caleb Teicher, on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 8 p.m. The high-energy performance will showcase the Lindy Hop, an American dance style created by Harlem-based dancers and swing big bands in the 1920s.

Algonquin Arts Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for its spring production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. The musical will run at Algonquin Arts Theatre from Friday, April 1 through Sunday, April 10.

Four-time Grammy-winning singer, composer, and actor Lyle Lovett has confirmed a 2022 tour with his Large Band, in addition to co-headlining dates with Chris Isaak. The new dates follow Lovett’s current tour with his Acoustic Group, which marks his first in-person tour since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

McCarter continues the season with a jam-packed lineup of music, theater, dance, and family programming.

Setting out with two sold out shows in Portland tonight, Letterkenny Live! stars Jared Keeso (Wayne), Nathan Dales (Daryl), Michelle Mylett (Katy), K. Trevor Wilson (Dan), Dylan Playfair (Reilly), Andrew Herr (Jonesy), Tyler Johnston (Stewart), Evan Stern (Roald), Mark Forward (Coach) and Jacob Tierney (Pastor Glen). Plus, check out all tour dates!

This April, Flushing Town Hall celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month with an incredible line-up of jazz events, both in person and available to stream for free online for those unable to make it to the historic venue, a Smithsonian affiliate in Queens. 

The CJRO returns to the Lone Tree Arts Center (LTAC) for an evening of fantastic jazz with Back by Popular Demand: The CJRO Returns. CJRO fans, both old and new, will hear many of their favorite big band jazz numbers such as “Take the “A” Train,” “You Make Me Feel So Young,” “Moanin,” and “More Today Than Yesterday” along with some new arrangements too! Nationally known, vocalist Marion Powers will be featured.

The Betsy (thebetsyhotel.com), a luxury family-owned and operated hotel on Miami Beach known internationally as a hub for arts, culture, and community, announces its 10th Annual Overture to Overtown (OTO) Jazz Festival, in celebration of National Jazz Appreciation Month (“JAM”) from April 1-April 30, 2022 on Miami Beach. Proud to be joining with other national jazz presenters, the hotel's month-long program co-produced with Carole Ann Taylor, will include over 40 live performances, curated community conversations, curated outdoor exhibits, and the exhibition, Sounds of FREEDOM. 

Phoenix Productions, the community theater arm of the Count Basie Center for the Arts, will present Putting It Together, a musical revue showcasing the music of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12 at The Vogel, the new performance venue located at the Basie Center in Red Bank.