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Birdland Jazz Club Annouces December 2007 Schedule

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STACEY KENT, ROY HAYNES, FREDDY COLE, JAZZ NATIVITY, GEORGE COLEMAN, NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION, CHICO O'FARRILL'S AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA, “CAST PARTY," & MORE!

Birdland (315 West 44th Street - between 8th & 9th Aves.) is pleased to announce an exciting line-up of extraordinary entertainment for the month of December. A detailed schedule follows:

*Stacey Kent

With “a voice to chase the blues away with a buoyant swing," (New York Times) and “a smile that could give you hope in February and sings like nobody's business," (Wall Street Journal) Ms. Kent returns to Birdland to celebrate her latest release, Breakfast on the Morning Tram. Tuesday-Sunday, November 27-December 2 @ 8:30 & 11pm ($40 General Admission, $50 Orchestra)

*The Broadway Boys

Producer Jesse Nager created the Broadway Boys in order to create a new sound for theater and non-theater audiences alike. By mixing pop, jazz, gospel, and funk elements to Broadways standards, the Broadway Boys have created what has been called, “a symphony of sound." The Broadway Boys include: Danny Calvert (Altar Boyz), Jesse Nager (Good Vibrations, Mary Poppins), Maurice Murphy (25th Annual....Spelling Bee), Daniel Torres (The Pirate Queen), and Josh Strickland (Tarzan). Monday, December 3 @ 7pm ($25)

*Christine Ebersole “Winter Wonderland" with Billy Stritch

The Tony Award-winning star of Broadway's Grey Gardens and 42nd Street returns to Birdland for her sixth engagement, armed with a dazzling concoction of Broadway tunes, standards, holiday songs and a wry take on life. Christine won the 2007 Tony for her performance in the dual role of Edith Bouvier Beale and “Little Edie" Beale in Grey Gardens. She won a 2001 Tony for her star turn as Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street where she met cast-mate Billy Stritch. The pair combined their talents to take their act on the road, but call Birdland their musical home. Wednesday-Saturday, December 5-6 @ 8:30pm, Dec. 7-8 @ 8:30 & 11pm ($40 General Admission, $60 Orchestra)

*Hilary Kole

A star in the midst of a meteoric rise, The NY Observer calls Hilary Hole a “hip and lovely...a musical marvel... sexy, charming and funny," while the NY Post raves, “Kole is drop-dead gorgeous," and Time Out New York notes, “Kole has a sophisticated sex appeal... and presents her own distinctive style. She is the best at selling a song." Wednesday & Thursday, December 5-6 @ 11pm ($25)

*Patrick DeGennaro

2007 MAC Award winning vocalist Patrick DeGennaro returns to Birdland with an all new show. The singer/songwriter and his band will be performing new originals as well as lending his own style to some pop classics ("Maybe I'm Amazed," “She's Leaving Home") and contemporary Broadway (Jason Robert Brown, Adam Guettel). DeGennaro's soaring pop-rock tenor voice is at times reminiscent of Steve Perry (Journey) or Lou Gramm (Foreigner), with a silky smooth R&B sound, akin to the likes of George Benson or Peabo Bryson. Patrick has performed at Joe's Pub, Town Hall, The Bottom Line, Symphony Space, and CBGB's, which has garnered him a Nightlife Award nomination and a Back Stage Bistro Award for Outstanding Male Vocalist. Sunday, December 9 @ 7pm ($25)

*Darius de Haas -"Wonder: The Songs of Stevie Wonder"

From the opening strains of 'Ribbon In the Sky' to the low down reggae funk of 'Master Blaster,' Darius de Haas and a jamming 8 piece pop-soul band will celebrate the joyous music of Stevie Wonder. Join us for an evening that has previously sold out Lincoln Center's American Songbook Series, as well as music festivals around the country."Mr. de Haas elicited the same sense of awe produced by Mr. Wonder's best records. The earth opened up and released a torrent." (Stephen Holden, NY Times) Monday, December 10 @ ($30)

*Roy Haynes

From swing to the avant-garde, Roy Haynes is one of the most recorded drummers in jazz. Throughout the 1950s, Haynes toured and recorded with Stan Getz, Bud Powell, and Charlie Parker. Not only is he equally adept at gracefully backing a singer like Sarah Vaughn, but explosively interacting with the likes of Chick Corea, Eric Dolphy or Andrew Hill. Critics and avid jazz listeners alike concur that Haynes is one of the most original drummers of the jazz canon. His most recent recordings as a leader are The Roy Haynes Trio, Fountain of Youth, and Where As. Wednesday-Saturday, December 11-15 @ 8:30 & 11pm ($40 General Admission, $50 Orchestra)

*Sam Harris

Broadway, television and recording artist Sam Harris will bring his unique mix of powerhouse vocals and unique comedy to Birdland for two nights as part of the Broadway at Birdland series. Harris will perform a mix of standards and stage favorites, as well as songs from his new upcoming CD, “Free." In the past few years, Harris' unusual perspective and comedy has become as much his signature as his legendary musical performances. Last season, on the CBS comedy “The Class," Liz Smith called Harris “the comic breakout of the television season." Liza Minnelli said, “Sam Harris is the best damn singer I've ever heard. Period!" Sunday & Monday, December 16 & 17 @ 7pm ($30 General Admission, $50 Orchestra)

*Melissa Errico

Melissa Errico will perform a fresh set of standards, theater music, original songs and lullabies in her second Birdland booking. The song list includes: “I Remember," “The Man That Got Away," and “From This Moment On," as well as highlights from her first album “Blue Like That" (EMI) and her upcoming symphonic album with Michel Legrand, Produced by Phil Ramone, featuring such Oscar-winning classics as “The Summer Knows" and “What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?" The show will feature Andy Ezrin on piano and Tim Lefebvre on bass. Tony-nominated for her work in Amour, Errico has also been seen on Broadway in Dracula The Musical, High Society, My Fair Lady, and Anna Karenina. Off-Broadway credits include Aunt Dan and Lemon and Finian's Rainbow. Tuesday, December 18 @ 8:30 & 11pm ($30)

*Freddy Cole

Cole doesn't apologize for sounding like his brother, Nat “King" Cole. There are certain unmistakable similarities. He plays piano and sings and performs live with guitar and upright bass, just like Nat. Yet his voice is raspier, smokier, jazzier even. But he has emerged from the awesome shadow cast by his elder brother. In truth, his phrasing is far closer to that of Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday than that of his brother and his timing swings a little more. His vocals - suave, elegant, formidable, and articulate - are among the most respected in jazz. Cole's career continues to ascend as he has moved into the front ranks of America's homegrown art form with a style and musical sophistication all his own. Wednesday-Saturday, December 19-23 @ 8:30 & 11pm ($30 General Admission, $40 Orchestra)

*Bending Towards the Light: A Jazz Nativity

Vocalist Anne Philips and Saxophonist Bob Kindred present “one of the most exciting and novel takes around on holiday music" (New York Magazine). The cast regularly features the legends of Jazz as the three wise men in a swinging musical take on the story of the nativity, “a beloved New York holiday tradition...joyfully exuberant." (Hollywood Reporter). Sunday-Tuesday, December 23 @ 5pm only, 24 & 25 @ 5, 8pm ($40 General Admission, $45 Orchestra)

*Hilary Kole

A star in the midst of a meteoric rise. the NY Observer calls Hilary Kole “hip and lovely...a musical marvel... sexy, charming and funny," while the New York Post raves, “Kole is drop-dead gorgeous," and Time Out New York notes, “Kole has a sophisticated sex appeal... and presents her own distinctive style. She is the best at selling a song." Tuesday, December 25 @ 11pm ($25)

*George Coleman

Growing up in Memphis' rich musical environment of the late 1940's alongside such notables as Booker Little and Hank Crawford, tenor saxophonist George Coleman was invited to tour with B.B. King at the age of 17. He went on to perform with jazz legends Max Roach, Charles Mingus, Chet Baker, Ahmad Jamal, and most notably in Miles Davis' ground breaking quintet with Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams. The group recorded four classic albums - Seven Steps to Heaven, My Funny Valentine, Four and Miles Davis in Europe - and made a significant contribution to jazz history. Wednesday-Saturday, December 26-29 @ 8:30 & 11pm ($30 General Admission, $40 Orchestra)

*New Year's Eve - Monday, December 31

Vocalist Hilary Kole with CHICO O'FARRILL'S JAZZ Orchestra (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) Hilary Kole, is 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 New York notes, “Kole has a sophisticated sex appeal... and presents her own distinctive style. She is the best at selling a song." 8pm show: $40 + $20 food/drink minimum @ Tables; $30 + $10 food/drink minimum @ Bar 11pm show: $60 + $20 food/drink minimum @ Tables; $40 + $10 food/drink minimum @ Bar

REGULAR MONTHLY ENGAGEMENTS

*CHICO O'FARRILL'S AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA (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) Sundays, December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 @9 & 11pm ($25)

*THE MUSIC OF DUKE ELLINGTON with David Berger & The Sultans of Swing

The Tuesday night residency returns! David Berger -- acclaimed bandleader, composer/arranger, and historical expert on all things Ellington -- leads his 16 piece “Sultans of Swing" Big Band in a program of authentic, swinging arrangements by Ellington, Basie, and other big band icons. Tuesdays, December 4, 11, 18 @ 8:30 & 11pm ($25) *JIM CARUSO'S “CAST PARTY"

“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. Mondays, December 3, 10, 17 @ 9:3opm ($10 cover/$10 minimum)

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