Just when you think you've heard all the great Jazz music imaginable over the years at Birdland, the 'Jazz Corner of the World' and Gianni Valenti present someone who raises the bar another notch. Vocalist Veronica Swift who defies gravity with her sensual voice, boundless technique, and creative melodic improvisations is a singer destined for musical super stardom. She also happens to be 24 and is already recognized around the country as one of the top young jazz singers. In the fall of 2015 Veronica won second place at the prestigious Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition. In 2016 she was asked to perform a concert of her own at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in NYC and she was a guest artist with Michael Feinstein at Jazz at Lincoln Center with the Tedd Firth Big Band with Marilyn Maye and Freda Payne. Veronica first appearance at Jazz at Lincoln Center was at age 11 when she performed at the 'Woman in Jazz' series at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola.
Birdland Theater, the new venue spawned from the legendary Birdland on 44th street had a 'soft' opening this summer, followed by a bunch of celebrity openings in September. It had another entertainment first last night because Jamie deRoy brought her friends and her renowned Jamie deRoy & friends Variety show to this great new performance space. The evening had all the glamour and excitement of a Broadway opening night, the kind of evening Ms. deRoy can usually be found at.
There's a Theme Park of music happening on 44th street and no matter what gate you choose to enter at Birdland great music is playing behind every door. You can spend a good portion of your night shuttling between the historic Birdland Stage and the new Birdland Theater with their line up of shows.
On September 10, the Broadway at Birdland concert series presented singer/songwriter Amanda McBroom, who returned to the historic stage with "My Favorite Things." Musical director Michele Brourman was at the piano, and Jared Egan was on bass.
Most times when Billy Stritch is at the keyboard he is WITH somebody. Liza, Tony, Marilyn (Maye), Linda (Lavin), Christine (Ebersole), Klea (Blackhurst), Ann Hampton Callaway and of course Jim Caruso. Every major music performer has at one time or another availed themselves of Billy's unique creativity as their pianist,arranger, vocalist, or conductor.
It's a good thing Gianni Valenti built the new Birdland Theater incorporating substantial soundproofing material. The screams and laughter coming from last night's audience would have alarmed the upstairs music lovers enjoying a great performance in the legendary 'Jazz Corner of The World'
The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present 'More About The Melody,' hosted by Broadway cellist Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf. The one-night-only event took place on Monday, August 6.
On the Television show 'Lets Make A Deal' you're only a winner if you open one door. At Birdland last night you were a winner no matter what door you opened. On the legendary Jazz Stage it was John Pizzarelli with The Swing 7, arguably the most talented guitarist/vocalist/comic performer on the planet. The door to the new Birdland Theater brought you into Susie Mosher's Lineup. A room full of celebs and lucky New Yorkers got to see an 'insane' guest list of phenomenal performers in her wild, semi structured variety show. Both doors at Birdland led you to superlative entertainment last night but the surprise guests direct from the Broadway Stage of Waitress, Erich Bergen (Jersey Boys, Madame Secretary) and Katharine McPhee ( TV, Smash, Scorpion) made you a winner if you also chose the door to the Birdland Theater.
The acoustics of Birdland, usually employed to perfectly show off the music coming from some of the finest Jazz musicians in the world was also up to the task of accurately accommodating the elegant sounds from the cello and artistry of Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf. BroadwayWorld was there for this Broadway at Birdland special one-night only event. Check out the photos below.
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.
