Birdland (315 West 44th Street - between 8th & 9th Aves.) is pleased to announce an exciting line-up of extraordinary entertainment for the month of July. A detailed schedule follows:
Lew Tabackin is one of the few jazz musicians who maintains a dual musical personality. As a tenor saxophonist, he is a hard-driving, tough-toned player reminiscent of Sonny Rollins or Don Byas. But as a flutist, he can also sound like a highly expressive master of Asian classical music. Lew moved to New York in the mid 1960s, where he was involved with the big bands of Cab Calloway, Maynard Ferguson, Thad Jones & Mel Lewis, among others. His distinctive sound has also graced various studio bands such as Dick Cavett's television orchestra. Tabackin met and married jazz pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi in 1968, moved to Los Angeles and co-founded the award winning Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, which had a New York residence at Birdland from 1996 until it disbanded in 2002.
Todd Londagin returns to Birdland with his quintet, The Todd Londagin Five. Having brought his 18-piece big band to the club twice and been a semi-regular at Jim Caruso's Cast Party, Todd is really looking forward to bringing the 5 piece group to the legendary Birdland stage. The Todd Londagin Five are Todd on trombone and vocals, Pete Smith on guitar, Matt Ray on piano, David Berger on drums and Jennifer Vincent on bass. They will present a mix of the American Songbook, New Orleans jazz, original songs and new arrangements of the more daring standards, with plenty of hat-tipping to Nat King Cole and a couple of vaudeville surprises thrown in for fun. A pop vocalist with a jazz sensibility, Todd has a deep understanding of the essence of popular American songwriting from the 30's through the 50's. He's been compared to Chet Baker and Harry Connick Jr., and he doesn't mind one bit.
Vinicius Canturia was born in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, living there until he was seven, when his family moved to Rio. As singer, songwriter, guitarist and percussionist, his career connects several zones of Brazilian music. And though his music is known for its decidedly twenty-first century feel, Canturia's band might best be described as 'post-electronica acoustic' - a band that includes jazz bassist Paul Socolow, Michael Leonhart (the young Steely Dan trumpeter) and a rotating crew of Brazilian percussionists - Nanny Assis, Mauro Refosco and legendary drummer Paulo Braga. His albums, always critics' favorites, have featured collaborations with Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson, Brad Mehldau, Arto Lindsay, Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot, David Byrne and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Though Vinicius pioneered the world of neo-Brazilian music and pushes boundaries with each of his albums, he strives to keep his music beautiful and pure, stating “I try reminding people of Miles Davis and Chet Baker - the music and harmonies are so sweet."
David Green is a writer and lyricist who put aside his pen and paper for nearly two decades to help some of Broadway's most celebrated artists find their voices and reach for their dreams. For the past twenty years he has trained and mentored young musical theatre performers with aspirations for careers on Broadway, including Tony nominees Susan Egan and Matthew Morrison, Stephanie J. Block, Krysta Rodriguez, Lindsay Mendez, Anneliese VanDerPol, and more. He has written lyrics for both the stage and television and for such stars as Tony Orlando, Debbie Reynolds, John Raitt, Cathy Rigby and Liberace. Mr. Green will be joined by his collaborators, John Glaudini and Micheal Borth, and a few of his talented alums and “extended Broadway family" for an evening of trunk songs and the debut of several numbers from his new musical, How The Nurse Feels.
Believe it or not, Lucie Arnaz is celebrating her 40th year in show business! She began her long career in a recurring role on television on “The Lucy Show," opposite her mother, Lucille Ball. She has been unstoppable ever since, starring on the big and small screens as well as stages on and off Broadway, releasing solo albums, taking her cabaret act to the road, and co-founding a production company with her husband, Laurence Luckinbill. The New York Post raves, “Lucie Arnaz is not good- she's great!... She sings like a dream, and is a fabulous saloon singer. Her voice, with its muted trumpet tones and charming trill, is a remarkable instrument." This charismatic Emmy winner and Golden Globe nominee lights up the stage at Birdland once again for four nights!
Critically acclaimed six- time MAC & 2008 Nightlife Award Winner, Natalie Douglas returns to Birdland for her 10th appearance with four encore performances of her brand new show, Cafe Society! Natalie welcomes her fans to this new celebration of the songs of the '30s and '40s and the legendary New York City night club that bore the name. Seventy years after the doors opened on this Greenwich Village basement venue, Natalie, with her longtime musical director and arranger, Avenue Q's Mark Hartman, and her band of Broadway all-stars, will revisit the era, the atmosphere and the music in a not-to-be-missed evening of Cole, Lena, Duke, Ella and of course, Billie.
Valarie Pettiford's diverse and exciting career began at a young age as a “Fosse Dancer," working with the late great Bob Fosse. Her Broadway credits include Fosse, Sophisticated Ladies, and West Side Story, TV credits such as UPN's “Half and Half," and “CSI Miami," and films such as “The Wiz" and “The Cotton Club." Valarie has recorded and toured with many R&B and Rock in United States and abroad.
“I Had The Craziest Dream: The Music of Harry Warren"
The David Berger Octet - featuring Harry Allen & Joe Temperley
Prior to his standing Tuesday night gig, The Music of Duke Ellington & More...with David Berger & The Sultans of Swing, Mr. Berger will be on hand with his octet to celebrate the release of the group's latest disc, “I Had The Craziest Dream: The Music of Harry Warren" (Such Sweet Thunder). Warren's best known songs include such standards as “I Only Have Eyes For You," “There Will Never Ever Be Another You," “At Last," “Chattanooga Choo-Choo," and “Lullaby of Broadway."
Experience musical symmetry as three world-renowned musicians, Oliver Lake (reeds) Reggie Workman (bass) and Andrew Cyrille (drums), merge to apply a sparse yet tight, rhythmic concept to the totally open harmonics of the reeds, bass and drums. Noted for their uncanny communication, TRIO 3 covers a broad spectrum, “pushing the envelope" while taking the audience gladly swingin' with them. Along with pianist and producer Geri Allen, who is hailed by the New York Times as “a jazz pianist who dares to follow an unmarked road," the ensemble is sure to bring a revolutionary avant-garde edge to their foundations in the jazz tradition.
The team voted “Best Knocking on Broadway's Door Songwriting Team" in the Village Voice, comprised of Award-winning songwriters Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, will once again bring the intimate The Marcy & Zina Show to Birdland! Goldrich and Heisler are currently working on the musical adaptation of Ever After, (the Drew Barrymore Cinderella movie produced by 20th Century Fox) which is slated for a Spring 2009 Broadway opening. The Marcy & Zina Show features the duo's best-loved songs written for theater and cabaret, and also introduces new songs from upcoming productions of Ever After and Love Has Strings.
Actor, singer, songwriter, soon-to-be talk show host and brand new father, Sam Harris, brings a new show to Birdland, featuring songs from his new cd entitled “Free," due in mid July. Harris has written most of the acoustic driven pop/rock cd, including “War On War," a song currently going viral on YouTube for which people are creating music videos. His upcoming Birdland appearance will mark the live debut of most of the tunes, mixed in with fan favorites, and his own brand of humor, which recently won him a network talk show deal. Todd Schroeder will musically direct the evening. Look for Sam on ABC-TV's “The View" the week of July 21. For more information, please go to SamHarris.com.
The Monty Alexander Trio includes Monty Alexander on piano, Herlin Riley on drums and Hassan Shakur on bass. As a trio, the three have performed internationally, including concerts in Italy, France and England. Alexander blends American and Jamaican musical styles, drawing on jazz, ska, big band, swing and reggae influences. His unique abilities have enabled him to work with a diverse assortment of talented artists including Frank Sinatra, Ray Brown, Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Ernest Ranglin, Quincy Jones, Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar and Natalie Cole. “My goal is to uplift," Alexander explains. The piano, to me, is a vehicle for connecting to other human beings. I'm very open to all forms of music. I'm not a bebop musician, I'm not a calypso musician, I'm not a reggae musician. I'm a musician who loves it all."
ANDY FARBER & HIS ORCHESTRA, Featuring Hilary Kole
Award winning composer/arranger and saxophonist Andy Farber leads his 17-piece jazz orchestra through a program of original compositions and new arrangements of standards. Featured with the big band is vocalist Hilary Kole, a star in the midst of a meteoric rise. The NY Observer calls her, “Hip and lovely...a musical marvel... sexy, charming and funny." While the NY Post raves, “Kole is drop dead gorgeous." And Time Out NY notes, “Kole has a sophisticated sex appeal...and presents her own distinctive style. She is the best at selling a song."
(directed by Arturo O'Farrill, Jr.)
Arranger-bandleader Arturo “Chico" O' Farrill, Sr. began introducing Afro-Cuban rhythms into jazz in the 1940's. The band bearing Chico's name (directed by his son Arturo) “continues to showcase the most seamless blend of clav rhythm and bebop harmony anywhere." (Time Out)
“No one can be called a true New Yorker until they've been to the 'Cast Party,' (2007 Nightlife Award Winner) which is to Broadway what the Conde-Nast cafeteria is to publishing. Divas and dapper-dans insouciantly sip cocktails while watching each other sing and perform at the open-mic event during Broadway's dark night," says Next Magazine. Broadway impresario Jim Caruso hosts a combination open-mic, networking event and party in which the biggest stars on Broadway relax on their night off by performing their favorite songs in an informal setting.
with David Berger & The Sultans of Swing
This Tuesday night residency has David Berger -- acclaimed bandleader, composer/arranger, and historical expert on all things Ellington - leading his 16 piece “Sultans of Swing" Big Band in a program of authentic, swinging arrangements by Ellington, Basie and other big band icons.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION, PLEASE NOTE:
PRE-THEATRE SPECIALS
EVERY WEDNESDAY, 5:30-7:30PM
“DAVID OSTWALD'S LOUIS ARMSTRONG CENTENNIAL BAND"
$10 music charge
EVERY FRIDAY*, 5:15-7:00PM
“THE BIRDLAND BIG BAND" with TOMMY IGOE
$20 music charge/$10 minimum
There will be no show on Friday, July 4th!
DISCOUNT ADMISSION SPECIALS (subject to availability)
For more information contact O&M Co..
