Lee Konitz News

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this January with a full slate of nightly performances! See the lineup, how to get tickets, and more!

Jazz vocalist Judy Niemack presents a collection of rhapsodic romantic songs on her album release, What's Love, out now on Sunnyside Records. Following Niemack's lauded 2018 release New York Stories with pianist Jim McNeely and Danish Radio Big Band, What's Love represents a vulnerable side of the lifelong vocalist's artistry.

Celebrated vocalist Kate Baker and her late husband, guitar giant and influential educator Vic Juris, chronicle a moving love story on Return to Shore, their evocative new album out now.

Carlo Mombelli has released 'Lullaby For Planet Earth' with Wolfgang Muthspiel and Jorge Rossy on Swiss Label CYH. In his 40-year career as a bassist, bandleader, composer and writer, South African Carlo Mombelli, who currently lives in Johannesburg, has built bridges between genres, musicians and audiences

Tomasz Stańko – one of Europe's most original and beloved jazz musicians – was born on July 11, 1942, in Rzeszów, Poland, and he passed away in Warsaw on July 29, 2018. In many ways, his life traced the course of modern jazz in Europe, beginning with his tenure – when barely into his twenties – in the band of the great Polish composer-pianist Krzysztof Komeda.

Chandler Center for the Arts announces the addition of saxophonist Grace Kelly to its 2022/23 Season.

The 92nd Street Y, New York (92NY) has announced its 2022/23 Tisch Music Season, one of 92NY's largest and most diverse seasons to date.

In response to Covid to provide some money to NYC’s many out-of-work or underemployed string musicians, Manny Alvarez launched a “Kolstein Performance Showcase” in collaboration with the Essex House on Central Park South/7th.  There is an ongoing schedule every Friday evening from 7-8 PM.

Below, you'll find details on all jazz programming at Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater running May 2 - May 15. Artists appearing at Birdland Jazz Club include Bill Charlap Trio and Solo, Andy Farber and his Orchestra, and NYC All-City Latin Ensemble and the Fat Cats. Downstairs at Birdland Theater, you'll find Anaïs Reno Quartet, Lauren Henderson Quartet, Steve Slagle Band, Mafalda Minnozzi, Kristen Lee Sergeant and The Royal Bopsters with special guest Sheila Jordan. Regular events include David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, Frank Vignola's Guitar Night, Birdland Big Band and Arturo O'Farrill & The Latin Jazz Ensemble.

His gentle dance with the piano keys undoubtedly sets Enrico Pieranunzi apart from other pianists. It is also possible to hear influences from the Renaissance in Rome-born Pieranunzi’s music. He breathes new life into today’s jazz with his simple yet rich rendition that captivates the listener.

Artists appearing at Birdland Jazz Club include Jane Monheit, Meg Okura Pan Asian Jazz Ensemble, Bill Charlap Trio and Solo and Andy Farber Big Band. 

On his debut album, Balance, Berlin saxophonist Fabian Willmann immediately gets down to business. The opening track bears the businesslike title, 'Intro'. And indeed, with just a few simple tones, he foreshadows what emerges over the course of the album. Fabian Willmann is a trenchant narrator who, using a sonorous tone and a fearless narrative approach, strips himself down to the essentials, yet with something to say in every breath. 

As the pandemic nears its much overdue endemic end, artists are coming out of the woodwork to sum up the past 24 months with their personal stories of survival and thriving. Last September, Tony award winner Cady Huffman and respected jazz bassist Mary Ann McSweeney presented such an evening at Birdland. With only the two of themselves, they put together an eclectic evening of jazz-flavored tunes with Ms. McSweeney on bass and Ms. Huffman on vocals entitled IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR: SONGS INSPIRED BY A PANDEMIC. This coming Tuesday, February 22, Huffman and McSweeney will present a new and improved version of the show at The Green Room 42, with a few surprises for those who caught the show before.

The Nasher Sculpture Center announces 'SCULPTING SOUND: Twelve Musicians Encounter Bertoia', a series of six historic concerts, from February 22–27, 2022, bringing together twelve master musicians to explore the expressive range of Harry Bertoia's sounding sculptures, in complement to the exhibition Harry Bertoia: Sculpting Mid-Century Modern Life on view at the Nasher January 29 – April 23, 2022. 

The Green Room 42 has announced their February line-up for in-person performances. Additionally, The Green Room 42 is excited to launch 5/5/5 Tickets – in celebration of their 5th Anniversary, five $5 tickets will be available for every show from February 15, 2022, through February 14, 2023.

Featuring GRAMMY-winning pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Kenny Washington, the Bill Charlap Trio was formed nearly 25 years ago in 1997 and earned GRAMMY nominations for Uptown Downtown (Impulse!/Verve), Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein, and The Bill Charlap Trio: Live at the Village Vanguard (both on the Blue Note label). 

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this November with a full slate of nightly performances!  At Birdland Jazz Club, catch Bill Charlap Duets with Houston Person, Jon Faddis, Chris Potter and Ron Carter, Peter Cincotti, Jihye Lee Big Band, The Hot Sardines, and more.

Critically acclaimed vocalist Aimée Allen will showcase her talents across the United States this October. As a recipient of a prestigious SouthArts Jazz Road touring grant, Allen is utilizing these funds to bring together the Aimée Allen Trio, featuring the NYC-based talent alongside guitarist Tony Romano and bassist François Moutin.

BIRDLAND THEATER will present “The Lineup” with Susie Mosher – the wild, anything-goes variety show featuring entertainers from the Broadway, cabaret and comedy scenes – every Tuesday evening at 8:30 PM.

The Hart Island Suite honors a family member and all one million souls who rest on Hart Island, NYC's public cemetery, Bronx, NY, and now includes victims of COVID-19, embracing their loved ones. Hart Island sits in the Long Island Sound, east of City Island.