Peter Erskine News

Birdland has announced its upcoming May program!

One of the Southwest's largest jazz festivals will return to Texas Christian University March 22-23, 2019, for its 42nd year, featuring legendary American jazz drummer Duffy Jackson to the exciting theme,  "Tribute to the music of Count Basie and Buddy Rich." The 2019 TCU Jazz Festival will host more than 700 middle and high school students at Ed Landreth Auditorium and PepsiCo Recital Hall during the annual competition, encompassing two days of performances from some of the most highly-regarded names in jazz, TCU ensembles and young artists from across the state.

At the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco today, March 7, Grammy winning Brazilian singer and pianist Elias performs songs from her previously unreleased 1995 album devoted to composer Mitch Leigh's Tony-winning score to the Broadway hit Man of La Mancha. This concert kicks off Elias' four-night residency.

At the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco on Thursday, March 7, Grammy winning Brazilian singer and pianist Elias performs songs from her previously unreleased 1995 album devoted to composer Mitch Leigh's Tony-winning score to the Broadway hit Man of La Mancha. This concert kicks off Elias' four-night residency.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents jazz quintet The Cafe Society as they honor "the grand diva of jazz," Nancy Wilson, on February 1, 2019 at 9:30pm. This carefully curated tribute features a selection of Nancy's songs interwoven with captivating details about her life and music. From her early jazz collaborations with George Shearing and Cannonball Adderley to her biggest R&B hits, enjoy the best of Nancy Wilson as interpreted by this Brooklyn-based group of professional jazz musicians.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents jazz quintet The Cafe Society as they honor "the grand diva of jazz," Nancy Wilson, on February 1, 2019 at 9:30pm. This carefully curated tribute features a selection of Nancy's songs interwoven with captivating details about her life and music. From her early jazz collaborations with George Shearing and Cannonball Adderley to her biggest R&B hits, enjoy the best of Nancy Wilson as interpreted by this Brooklyn-based group of professional jazz musicians.

Pianist-composer Daniel Szabo debuts a stunning set of new music in his Fuzzy Music album pre-release concert at Blue Whale, Friday, November 9 at 9:00pm.

This month NY Madness is proud to co-present a Midterm Mayhem! A Doomsday Cabaret, featuring excerpts from the new musical, 'Red Sky'. Red Sky is a parable for our times, and features, Danielle Alonzo, Jonas Barranca, Eden Eernissee, Steven Halliwell, Timothy Mullins, Chuk Obasi, and Ansi Rodriguez. The show will take place on Sunday, October 28th at 8pm at The Kraine Theater (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue and Bowery). November 9th Forever is co-producing this special event. Also featuring Voting Rights activist Victor Pate from the National Action Network.

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with week two of the "Second Annual Celebration of Ron Carter" with the Ron Carter Quartet, Capathia Jenkins & Louis Rosen 'PHENOMENAL WOMAN: The Maya Angelou Songs,' Alex Frondelli Quartet, and more!

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts,  which brings audiences world-class theater, dance and music performed by many of the most sought-after artists,presents Chris Walden Big Band with a program that pays tribute to the "Rat Pack" era on Saturday, October 27, 2018, 7:30 pm,in the Bram Goldsmith Theater at The Wallis. Walden, a seven-time Grammy-nominated composer/arranger/conductor, has scored more than 40 feature and TV films and written more than 1,500 orchestral and big band arrangements for artists ranging from Aretha Franklin, Paul McCartney and Barbra Streisand to Diana Krall and Rihanna, among many others.

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with Dee Dee Bridgewater with the Theo Croker Quintet, Kevin Eubanks Quartet, Anita Gillette, Ron Carter's Great Big Band, Quartet and Golden Striker Trio, Alan Broadbent Trio, Capathia Jenkins & Louis Rosen, Jay Leonhart, Pasquale Grasso Trio, Ken Peplowski with Special Guest Sinne Eeg, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more!

Formed just a few years ago, Svetlana and the Delancey Five have become one of New York's most popular young jazz bands with a repertoire that moves flawlessly from the hot jazz of the 1920s to new takes on modern standards, offering a joyous "exuberant, foot-stomping party combining swing and pop-singer/songwriter sensibilities" (WPIX 11). The group makes its Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum debut on Thursday, July 19, with a food truck picnic that begins at 5:30 followed by the concert at 7:30. The food trucks are open to the public and everyone is invited.

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is pleased to announce its panel of judges for the 2018 competition. Established in 2002, ISC is the world's largest songwriting competition and is open to both professional and amateur songwriters, signed and unsigned. A total of 71 winners in 23 categories share in over $150,000 in cash and prizes, including an overall Grand Prize consisting of $25,000 (US) cash, and much more.

Seth MacFarlane returns to Cafe Carlyle with a one-night only late show on Monday, May 14. Perhaps best known as the creator of the television series "Family Guy," MacFarlane's talents encompass every aspect of the entertainment industry. He has created some of the most popular content on television and film today while also expanding his career in the worlds of music, science and philanthropy. For this special concert, MacFarlane performs selections from the Great American Songbook, joined by his band, including Tom Rainer (piano), Chuck Berghofer (bass), Larry Koonse (guitar), Peter Erskine (drums), Dan Higgins (saxophone), and Joel McNeely (flute).

Bloomingdale School of Music (BSM) welcomes the warmer weather with a free concert of new music, entitled Into the Future! Modern Jazz + Avant Pop on Friday, May 18th at 7:00 pm led by BSM faculty member alto saxophonist Daniel Bennett. This FREE community concert will be held at the school's home site located at 323 West 108th Street between Broadway and Riverside Drive in Manhattan. Seating is limited.

It takes a discerning eye, or in this case ear, to envision the desert as more than a vast, arid wasteland. Pianist/composer Yelena Eckemoff succeeds in musically portraying many of this daunting environment's mysteries and its boundless allure on her new recording, "Desert", to be released May 4 on her imprint L&H Production.

Seth MacFarlane makes his Caf Carlyle debut with a one-night only late show on Tuesday, December 19. Perhaps best known as the creator of the television series Family Guy, MacFarlane's talents encompass every aspect of the entertainment industry. He has created some of the most popular content on television and film today while also expanding his career in the worlds of music, science and philanthropy. For this special concert, MacFarlane performs selections from the Great American Songbook, joined by his band, including Tom Rainer (piano), Chuck Berghofer (bass), Larry Koonse (guitar), Peter Erskine (drums), Dan Higgins (saxophone), and Joel McNeely (flute).

Drum legend & producer extraordinaire Simon Phillips will be releasing Protocol 4 on October 27th on Phantom Recordings, distributed by AMPED. Simon Phillips is by far one of the world's most renowned and respected drummers, whose style not only reflects his technical gift but also his distinct musical sensibility.

Drum legend & producer extraordinaire Simon Phillips will be releasing Protocol 4 on October 27th on Phantom Recordings, distributed by AMPED. Simon Phillips is by far one of the world's most renowned and respected drummers, whose style not only reflects his technical gift but also his distinct musical sensibility.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College will open its 2017-18 Kumble Theater season with eight-time GRAMMY -nominated jazz artist Tierney Sutton. Praised by The New York Times as 'a pure jazz spirit,' Ms. Sutton and her band will perform their 2017 GRAMMY Award-nominated project The Sting Variations.