Matt Baker News

Richmond Theatre have today, 8 March, announced that their annual pantomime, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, will star TV-favourite Matt Baker. Matt will star as Joey the Clown, reprising the role he originated in the critically acclaimed 2019 London Palladium production.

On Monday, Australian jazz pianist Matt Baker returned to Birdland with a new version of his project A RHAPSODY OF GERSHWIN. The project is very much in the spirit of Gershwin’s own mix of jazz and classical styles. Using Gershwin’s original compositions as a launching board, he created inventive variations with his 5 piece band. There was a great deal of virtuosity on display. Gershwin’s work lends itself to such displays of bravura. The material is so rich it can’t help but yield fruitful improvisations. Matt Baker’s ensemble definitely rose to the challenge. The joy of the evening was the addition of Grammy-nominated singer Nicole Zuraitis. Ms. Zuraitis has a supple voice that is both warm and delicate. In addition to providing the lyrics, she also had many numbers in which she was treated as another instrument in the band, providing haunting vocalises.

New York/Australian jazz pianist Matt Baker returned to the Birdland stage with a new version of his project, “A Rhapsody of Gershwin.” 

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center is accepting applications for the Cabaret & Performance Conference Junior Fellows Program through March 18.

The weekly look at The Lineup arrives a little late but it arrives, nonetheless.

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this February with a full slate of nightly performances! 

You can’t say Jim Caruso’s Cast Party hasn’t had staying power!  Every Monday night for the past eighteen years, musical talent has been celebrated on the Birdland stage.  Superstars, up-and-comers, Broadway legends, jazzers and cabaret divas have all been in the spotlight and taken a turn at the grand piano. 

For the twelfth year in a row, Klea Blackhurst, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch bring “A Swinging Birdland Christmas” to the iconic New York City stage with a five-night engagement.  Rounding out the “festive five” is Steve Doyle on bass and Daniel Glass/Eric Halverson on drums.

This last Monday, the weekly fun at Jim Caruso’s Cast Party continued with a full list of singers and a packed house eager to cheer.  Pop/tv/theater star Nicole Scherzinger showed up while in town rehearsing for the “Annie” movie, and leading lady Melissa Errico caused some musical theater swooning! 

London’s Reviewsgate calls Jason Kravits and his “Off The Top” improv extravaganza “a five-star masterclass in the art of improv.”  

Karen Oberlin brought a brand-new celebration of Lorenz “Larry” Hart to the Birdland stage on Monday night.

Over the past two months, Jim Caruso’s Cast Party has been packing Birdland with throngs of music and theater lovers eager to cheer the return of the show biz scene. Fans of Broadway, jazz, country, and the Great American Songbook have been delighted by the impromptu talent that has consistently shown up to entertain.

The Word's Biggest Panto is back for 2021 with a spectacular arena tour.

On Monday, September 27, Grammy-nominated Clint Holmes returned to the Birdland stage with a slew of brilliant musicians, inspiring material and his signature…and very swinging vocals. 

When his colleague and friend, Matt Baker, took a break from the piano to pick up a camera, Jim Caruso got inspired to take a break from the microphone and pick up a typewriter.

There were dazzling musical performances by Peter Cincotti, Victoria Shaw, Ruby Locknar, Azusa Sheshe Dance, Matt Baker, Ava Locknar, Artemesia LeFay, Nicole Zuraitis, Hailey Brinnel & Joe Plowman, Callie Holley, Quentin Harris & Bryce Edwards and Lowell Oakley, among many others. 

The musical, magical Cast Party, hosted by Jim Caruso, continues at Birdland!  After running full-steam for eighteen years, you’d think the energy would have faded a bit.  But you’d be wrong!  

This past Monday’s Cast Party – the weekly open mic/variety show that has been in residence at Birdland every Monday for eighteen years was yet another celebration of fantastic talent!  Host Jim Caruso, along with Billy Stritch on piano, Steve Doyle on bass and Daniel Glass on the drums introduced dozens of singers – young and old, up-and-comers and established – to the packed house.

On Monday, July 19, some uber-talented people stormed the Birdland stage for another installment of Jim Caruso’s Cast Party. 

After fifteen months of unwanted hiatus, host/producer Jim Caruso brought his notorious 'Cast Party' back to it's home on the Birdland stage. July 5 marked the return of the wildly popular weekly open mic/variety show that has been bringing Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the historic music room every Monday since 2004.