Gianni Valenti News

Marvelous Marilyn Maye has moved into the brand-new Birdland Theater for two weeks, much to the delight of the club's staff, as well as Marilyn's legion of fans. The "Queen of Cabaret" will be in residence for two weeks, running Tuesday to Saturday through August 4, with shows at 7pm each night.

There's a new cocktail being served up at the Bridland Theater, and based upon it's debut last night, folks will be lining up to get into (or should I say down to).  It's being served up at the new venue underneath the legendary Birdland Jazz nightclub…. the Birdland Theater.   

Gianni Valenti, the music world's gift to New York City, has created another venue for the performing arts. Jim Caruso made it official last night as he introduced Lucie Arnaz, who with her longtime friend and music director Ron Abel thrilled a celebrity filled opening night audience.

Birdland Theater kicked off it's premiere summer season Tuesday night with audience favorite Lucie Arnaz, who also happened to be celebrating a birthday. Lucie's new show, "I Got The Job: Songs From My Musical Past" will take place at 7pm nightly through Saturday, July 21. There was a post-show celebration in the green room, with champagne, cake, singing, reveling and toasts to the birthday girl and new show room.

Over the past two weeks, the brand new Birdland Theater has been the place for some very special #friendsandfamily concerts, to prepare for the upcoming opening week starring Lucie Arnaz. The space has a new stage, new sound and lights, new kitchen, new menu and a few new staffers, but the nine unadvertised shows went without a hitch.

There a lot of great music and so many sterling performances during the Broadway at Birdland presentation of "New York, Old Friend!' Between singers Nicolas King, Natalie Douglas, Veronica Swift, and Clint Holmes, songwriter Ken Laub's clever material was given first-rate attention! Pianist/arranger Tedd Firth and the Diva Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Sherrie Maricle, helped make the show a super-swinging affair!

On Monday, June 11, the Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present cast members from Broadway and touring companies of Million Dollar Quartet in a concert called 'Million Dollar Reunion.' The show featured James Snyder, Billy Woodward, Christopher Ryan Grant, David Abeles, Zurin Villanueva, and Billy Finn, with Larry Lelli on drums and Corey Kaiser on bass.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presented cabaret superstar KT Sullivan on the historic stage on Monday, May 21. KT Sullivan celebrated the master melodist Jerome Kern with songs both obscure ("Raggedy Ann" and "Bungalow In "Quogue") and classic ("Bill", "All the Things You Are" and, yes, "Old Man River"). KT was ably supported by jazz greats Jon Weber on piano and Steve Doyle on bass.

Over the past few weeks, Jim Caruso's Cast Party at Birdland has been the place for an enormous variety of musical talent, with Caruso hosting, Billy Stritch accompanying on the eighty-eights, and the Cast Party Symphony Orchestra (Steve Doyle on bass and Daniel Glass on drums).

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present the return of The Bombshells to the club on Sunday and Monday, May 6 and 7.  Sunday night's show was completely sold out, and there are a handful of bar seats available for Monday (tonight) at 7pm.  Please contact the club at 212-581-3080 for sales.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to present Gunhild Carling, known as Sweden's 'Queen of Swing,' at the club on Sunday, April 22. Ms. Carling absolutely captivated the sold-out house, eliciting many standing ovations and an old-school New Orleans parade through the venue. 

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present multi-Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn in another 'Frank Wildhorn & Friends' on Monday, April 16.  

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to host another two sold-out performances of 'The Donny Nova Band Featuring Julia Trojan.' The talented actor/singer/musicians from the Broadway musical, Bandstand reassembled for two very special concerts on Sunday and Monday.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presented the return of singer/songwriter Victoria Shaw in another "Under The Covers." Victoria's very special guests were country superstars Morgan Evans and Lee Brice, with a surprise performance by Grammy-winning songwriter Mark Hudson. Over the past twelve years, this series of shows have included folks at the top of their musical and professional games, and introduced audiences to newcomers on their way to country and pop superstardom.

You folks are in the best place in NYC to be tonight!' A more accurate announcement was never given by Broadway at Birdland host Jim Caruso as he introduced Christine Ebersole and Billy Stritch, who joined forces for an evening of sensational pop/jazz at The Jazz Corner of The World. BroadwayWorld attended the event, and you can check out photos here!

Although there wasn't any seltzer in the brook, at Jim Caruso's Broadway at Birdland Series there sure was a lot of wine on the tables in the world famous night club as Jamie deRoy hosted the latest installment of her Jamie deRoy & friends variety show titled 'Tis the Season. BroadwayWorld attended the event and you can check out photo coverage here!

Stritch hides behind the mantra of Musical Director, Arranger, Songwriter, vocal and piano accompanist for some of the most talented and famous performers on the planet the majority of the times you see him. However, It comes as no surprise to his many fans that when he decides to feature himself and go solo it's an event not to be missed.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presented the return of two-time Tony Award nominated songwriter Amanda Green to the stage. The one-night-only event took place in front of a sold-out house on Monday, November 13.

The Django Reinhardt NY Festival is in full swing at Birdland, it's New York City home. Jean Django Reinhardt was a Belgian-born, Romani French jazz guitarist and composer, regarded as one of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century.

Birdland welcomed singer/actress Jessica Molaskey in a concert celebrating her new recording, Portraits of Joni, on Monday, June 12. BroadwayWorld has photos from the evening below!