Gianni Valenti News

Gianni Valenti has guided the 'Jazz Corner of the World' for the past 32 years.  Birdland, the most well known jazz music venue on the planet has been successfully chaperoned by his masterly artistic, restaurant, and business skills for over three decades. That is exactly double the amount of time the original Birdland on 52nd street existed.  Entertainment and menu trends have metamorphosed many times over the last 32 years, but Birdland has consistently been the destination point for New Yorkers and world travelers seeking great music, performed by exceptional artists.  For the past decade, the club has integrated the stars of  the adjacent Broadway Theatre into it's performance schedule under the guidance of Jim Caruso. 

Show business tour de force Jamie deRoy brings her star-packed Jamie deRoy & friends cabaret show to New York's famed Birdland, Sunday, October 16, at 6 p.m.

John Pizzarelli, the world-renowned jazz guitarist and singer, who has been called 'hip with a wink' by Town & Country, 'madly creative' by the Los Angeles Times and 'the genial genius of the guitar' by The Toronto Star brought his Swing Seven to Birdland this past week and Broadwayworld was there for his closing night.  Son of the legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, New Jersey native John Pizzarelli has become one of the most recognizable faces and voices in contemporary jazz. John Pizzarelli has had a multi-faceted career as a jazz guitarist, vocalist and bandleader, known around the world for the cool jazz flavor he brings to classic standards, late-night ballads, and each of his hugely entertaining live performances and masterful recordings. His most recent CD release, Rockin' In Rhythm, combines the enduring work of Duke Ellington with Pizzarelli's incredible ability to reinterpret the Great American Songbook. Rockin' In Rhythm is the follow up to Pizzarelli's critically-acclaimed 2008 release, With A Song In My Heart - John Pizzarelli Sings the Music of Richard Rodgers, which featured Don Sebesky's Grammy-nominated arrangement of 'Johnny One Note.' With his active touring schedule, Pizzarelli continues to charm audiences with his warmth, conversational humor, and musical moxie.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presented Trent Armand Kendall and the band, Brass Illusion (under the direction of Marty Ash), in 'This Crazy Love' on the historic stage on August 29. BroadwayWorld has photos from the concert below!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to present multi-Grammy and Tony Award-nominated composer/producer Frank Wildhorn and Tony Award-nominated singer/actress Keala Settle (currently starring in Waitress) in 'Keala Settle & Frank Wildhorn: For The First Time LIVE' on Monday night.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present the extraordinary cast of Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera, which collaborated and sang the music of Stephen Sondheim on Sunday, July 24. The one-night-only event was the fourth in a series of benefit concerts for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Scroll down for photos!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series is thrilled to present Lesli Margherita in a reprisal of her sold-out show, BROAD, at the historic music room on Mondays, July 18 and 25 at 7pm. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was thrilled to present Tony Award-nominee Tony Yazbeck in concert, celebrating the release of his first studio solo CD, 'The Floor Above Me' (PS Classics). Scroll down for photos from the concert!

The notes, the sounds, and that famous smile, were all gloriously and heroically present as Gianni Valenti announced "Bucky's Back" to a standing room only (and standing) Birdland audience last night and Broadwayworld was there..  It was akin to seeing a ball player like Mickey Mantle, getting on in his years, return after a possible career ending injury, return and then hit a home run.   The crowd in Birdland cheered and teared for Bucky Pizzarelli at this triumphant evening. He wowed everyone with his undiminished virtuosity, musicianship and personality in this, his 90th year.  Bucky's back, and his music will live forever.  

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present the return of singer/songwriter Victoria Shaw in "Under The Covers" on Monday, May 16.  Victoria's special musical guests were Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, of the multi-platinum selling band, Nelson, Drew and Jonathan Scott, from the hit TV series 'Property Brothers,' superstar pianist Jim Brickman and 'Madam Secretary' star Erich Bergen. Scroll down for photos from the show!

On Sunday, May 8, the Broadway at Birdland concert series was, once again, proud to present Daniel Reichard in a brand new spirited variety show entitled 'Friends, Acquaintances, and Strangers.' Scroll down for photos from the concert!

Last night many beautiful people came to the concluding night of Ann Hampton Callaway's new show 'But Beautiful' at Birdland. BroadwayWorld was there for the final performance. Check out photos below!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series presented singer Iris Williams, who returned to the historic stage with "An Encore Evening with Iris Williams" on Monday, May 2.  The concert celebrated the Great American Songbook, concentrating on songs performed by Edith Piaf, and written by Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Duke Ellington, Henry Mancini and the Gershwins.

The Broadway at Birdland Concert Series welcomed Jamie deRoy & friends for a star-studded cabaret show last night and BroadwayWorld was there.

A brand new Yamaha C7 Concert Grand Piano was delivered to Birdland yesterday and to start off it's residency in it's new home The Broadway at Birdland Series presented Piano Men.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present NY1 theater journalist Frank DiLella in the second episode of his new talk show, 'Show Biz After Hours With Frank DiLella.' The event was taped in front of a sold-out audience on Monday, January 11, with Frank's very special guest Jonathan Groff, who is currently starring on Broadway as King George in the smash hit HAMILTON. Frank had several guests on hand to surprise Groff, including friends Tituss Burgess, Alyse Alan Louis, Jenni Barber, and his 'Looking' co-star Russell Tovey. Scroll down for photos!

Kurt Elling, the preeminent male vocalist in jazz, celebrated Passion World - his fifth album from Concord Records at Birdland last night and BroadwayWorld was there - check out photos below

On Sunday, December 13, the Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present Broadway star and concert singer Daniel Reichard in his new holiday show, UNDER THE MISTLETOE!. He will return to the historic stage on Sunday, December 20, with a show at 6pm. BroadwayWorld has photos from the concert below!

On Sunday, the Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present songwriter Jonathan Reid Gealt, who celebrated the release of his new cd, "Whatever I Want It To Be," with a concert at the historic music room starring a bevy of Broadway stars. The cast included vocalists Jane Monheit, Loren Allred, Whitney Bashor, and Addi McDaniel and Michael Deleget. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

On Monday night, the Broadway at Birdland concert series kicked off a four-night run starring Tony Award-winning actress/singer Christine Ebersole and Grammy Award-winning composer/pianist/singer Billy Stritch in OUR FAVORITE THINGS. The show will run through Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26, with shows nightly at 6pm. BroadwayWorld has photos from the concert below!