Count Basie News

With the inspiration that Nat King Cole's tv show brought to the American public including talented singers such as Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Carmen McRae and many others, John Pizzarelli and Catherine Russell will be paying homage to Nat King Cole and these iconic singers with their new show, A Tribute to Nat King Cole and Ladies of Song a?" coming to the Van Wezel on Wednesday, March 18 at 8 p.m. Songs throughout the evening will include some of Nat King Cole's most memorable hits such as a?oeRoute 66,a?? a?oeStraighten Up & Fly Righta?? and a?oePaper Moona?? along with the timeless works from Ladies of Song.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic has announced its 99th summer season at the Hollywood Bowl, showcasing a roster of world-class artists ranging from classical and pops to jazz, rock, and world music. The season features the return of legendary Bowl favorites, celebrated artists and conductors making their Bowl debuts, and the premieres of new LA Phil-commissioned works.

It's never too late to follow your passion in life. At 74, Josephine is returning to the stage after a long hiatus, touring in support of her recently released album Prime Time (link to her music), a tribute to the Great American Songbook.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra presents Beethoven's Third Symphony, a?oeEroica,a?? and the East-Coast premiere of Christopher Rouse's Bassoon Concerto, March 26a?"29 in Newark, Red Bank and Morristown.

Fresh off of national television, Melinda Rose Rodriguez made her debut performance at one of the most acclaimed jazz clubs in the world, Birdland. The concert consisted of Melinda's original music with a few favorite standards. Melinda's music reminds listeners on timeless standards with a quirky twist. The show featured up and coming pianist/vocalist Alina Engibaryan, with Dan Montgomery on bass and Evan Hyde on drums. 

Iconic singer ART GARFUNKEL has announced a nine-show tour of Finland, Denmark, Germany and Holland, running November 24 through December 7. He also continues to add dates to his in-progress U.S. performances, which kicked off last month in southern California and continued this weekend (full itinerary below).

Tickets for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra's 2021 performances of Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Concert will go on sale to the public on February 14 at 10 am. Attendees of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert performances February 7-9 will receive a special presale. Through a double-feature deal, concertgoers can save when purchasing tickets to multiple concerts in the Star Wars film concert series.

Direct from the Apollo Theater, A Celebration of Ella Fitzgerald will bring singing greats Patti Austin, Kurt Elling, Monica Mancini, Wé McDonald and Ledisi to the McCallum Theatre for a fantastic night of music by one of the most revered vocalists of our time, at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 29. Each performer embodies a different era of the jazz legend's life, intertwined with stories from her debut as a teenager at New York's Apollo Theater to the peak of her fame. The music highlights Ella's greatest hits, including a?oeA Tisket a Tasket,a?? 'Blues in the Night,a?? a?oeMiss Otis Regrets,a?? a?oeYou'll Have to Swing Ita?? and more. The show features the Ella All-Star Band with Shelly Berg, Nathan East, Brian Nova and Gregg Field.

Having just completed a month long coast-to-coast Canadian arena tour as well as a run of dates in the U.S. this past Fall, City and Colour, acclaimed singer, songwriter and performer Dallas Green, announces a run of U.S. tour dates, taking place this Spring. The tour kicks off May 12 in Pittsburgh, PA and finishes close to home, in Niagara Falls, NY on May 29. Joining the tour as support, is Katie Pruitt. Public on-sale begins this Friday, January 31 at 10am local time in each market. Fans can Visit cityandcolour.com for direct ticket links.

Keeping with Madison Theatre tradition, Swingtime returns for its eight annual Valentine's Day celebration of classics from the Great American Songbook!

The February lineup of acts performing at City Winery Chicago (1200 W. Randolph St) has been announced. See full details below!

Below is the upcoming schedule at Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater February 3 through February 16: 

Today, Sammy Miller and The Congregation release the latest single from their debut album Leaving Egypt, 'It Gets Better,' which bursts forth with a loping groove, and cleverly unfolds with moody passages that veer into the sunny side of the street. As Sammy states, “This is a song for the tough time, the tough day, the tough moment. It will get better.”

Acclaimed actress and singer Linda Purl will bring her show Linda Purl and Her Big Band Romance to Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on Friday, February 7, and to Martinis Above Fourth in San Diego on Saturday, February 8, it was announced today by Chris Isaacson Presents, Catalina, and Martinis. Purl will be joined by special guest Donny Most (Happy Days).

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Xian Zhang have announced the Orchestra's 2020-21 season. Classical highlights include a Winter Festival featuring works by Gershwin and other luminary composers who blend classical and popular traditions; performances of commissions from Tyshawn Sorey, Thomas Adès and a quartet of jazz composers; a continuing celebration of Beethoven's 250th birthday; return engagements by violin superstars Joshua Bell and Jennifer Koh and solo performances by multiple NJSO musicians.

The music that filled the dancehalls during the Big Band era is brought to life again by The Moonlight Serenade Orchestra this Spring as The Glenn Miller & Big Band Spectacular heads out on a major 2020 national tour. Kicking off at the Harlow Playhouse on 20 March, the hardest swinging band in the UK will recreate the million-sellers of the 1940s and 50s with a show that's guaranteed to get audiences In The Mood.

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are pleased to present the schedule for the month of February! At Birdland Jazz Club, catch the iconic Lionel Hampton Big Band Featuring Jason Marsalis, current GRAMMY nominee Catherine Russell, the Birdland debut of AGUAS Trio with Omar Sosa, Yilian Cañizares and Gustavo Ovalles, and iconic vocalist Jane Monheit. Internationally recognized trumpeter Rachel Therrien, the Seth Weaver Big Band, and The Voice contestant Melinda Rose Rodriguez will also be performing upstairs. 

On March 6th, Mandy Moore will release her seventh studio album, Silver Landings, via Verve Forecast. Her first new album in 10 years, 'Silver Landings' is a reference to a lyric on the album's titular last song: 'Reaching for golden ribbons up in the air/But I'm looking for silver landings.' The title track was the last song Moore wrote for the album and became emblematic of THE JOURNEY she's been through in the past decade, what it took to get to the point of re-embracing this part of her life, and the expectations therein.

Christopher Cross made history with his 1980 self-titled debut album, winning five Grammy Awards, including—for the first time in Grammy history—the “Big Four” most prestigious awards: Record of the Year (for the single “Sailing”), Album of the Year, Song of the Year (also “Sailing”), and Best New Artist.

Scott Bradlee shares on going from a creative kid to living his dream as the creative head of Postmodern Jukebox in his book 'Outside the Jukebox: How I Turned My Vintage Music Obsession into My Dream Gig.' His interview gives a candid and inspiring look into moments, conversions, and reflections in his long career growing the success of Postmodern Jukebox.