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:
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), Michael James Scott (Jersey Boys), and Josh Strickland (Tarzan). Monday, December 1 @ 7pm ($25 General Admission, $50 Orchestra)
Grady Tate and Friends
Grady Tate is renowned as a top drummer who helped define a particular hard bop, soul-jazz and organ trio sound during the 1960s and beyond. His vocal talents as a warm baritone are less documented, although he's released about a dozen vocal albums since 1968 and was nominated for a 1986 Best Jazz Vocal Grammy for his performance of “She's out of My Life," and “Best Male Pop Vocalist" in 1973 and 1979. He has been described as “the best singer to emerge from the ranks of instrumentalists since Nat King Cole." With perfect timing for pre-holiday warmth and brightness, this one-week run featuring Grady and some of his friends is a must! Wednesday - Saturday, December 3-6 @ 8:30 & 11pm ($30 General Admission, $40 Orchestra)
Victoria Shaw
Victoria Shaw is a pop/country songwriter responsible for over 65 million CD sales! As a singer, she had the great opportunity to open for Garth Brooks in the historic 1997 Central Park concert. Victoria also wrote one of Garth's biggest hits of all-time, “The River." The two-time Emmy Award-winning composer also wrote “I Love The Way You Love Me" for John Michael Montgomery and “Nobody Wants To Be Lonely" for Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera. Her songs have been recorded by Olivia Newton John, Boyzone, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Reba McEntire, Tricia Yearwood, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Michael McDonald. Monday, December 8 @ 7pm ($25)
Roy Haynes Quartet
Called an eight ball in the side pocket" by Thelonious Monk and the father of modern drumming" by Pat Metheny, legendary drummer Roy Haynes has been the pulse of jazz percussion for more than five decades, directing the course of jazz improvisation with his intelligent and joyous drumming. Haynes has played with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Sarah Vaughan, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Getz, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny and many others, lending his unflagging energy and marvelous invention to thousands of performances and recordings. The Roy Haynes Quartet features Roy Haynes on drums, Jaleel Shaw on saxophone, David Wong on bass, and Martin Bejerano on piano. Don't miss the Roy Haynes Quartet live at Birdland, as the highly influential and innovative drummer continues to forge new paths in jazz with his hard swing" style. Roy Haynes is one of the seven wonders of modern jazz." (Billboard) Tuesday- Saturday, December 9-13 @ 8:30 & 11pm ($30 General Admission, $40 Orchestra)
GuyTunes: Christmas Hams With Nick Blaemire, Justin Keyes & Joey Khoury
After their sold-out New York debut, GUYTUNES returns to Birdland to ring in the holiday season in their signature fashion. Nick Blaemire (Glory Days), Justin Keyes (Spelling Bee) and Joey Khoury (Altar Boyz) have compiled a brand new show full of seasonal favorites that investigate the reason for the season, and the many different ways it can be celebrated. With their sparkling blend of comedy, exciting new musical arrangements and tight three-part harmony, these guys have the tunes to satiate your holiday fix. After all, what's better than a few Christmas Hams? Monday, December 15 @ 7pm ($25 General Admission, $40 Orchestra)
Purchase College Latin Jazz Orchestra Directed by Arturo O'Farrill
The Purchase Latin Jazz Orchestra makes its Birdland debut under newly-appointed director Arturo O'Farrill. Son of the legendary bandleader Chico O'Farrill, pianist and composer, Arturo O'Farrill directs Symphony Spaces Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Birdlands weekly Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, and formerly the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Tuesday, December 16 @ 6pm ($20)
Freddy Cole Quartet
Cole doesn't apologize for sounding like his brother, Nat “King" Cole. There are certain unmistakable similarities. He plays piano, 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 great 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 17-20 @ 8:30 & 11pm ($30 General Admission, $40 Orchestra)
Bending Towards The Light: A Jazz Nativity
Vocalist Ann Philips and Saxophonist Bob Kindred present the annual holiday favorite, Bending Towards The Light: A Jazz Nativity. A tradition born in 1985, A Jazz Nativity is “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-Thursday, December 21-25 (12/21 @ 5pm, 12/22 @ 7pm, 12/23 @ 6pm, 12/24-12/25 @ 5 & 8pm ($30 General Admission, $40 Orchestra)
Christmas with Hilary Kole
Hilary Kole co-created and originated the lead female roles in the critically acclaimed, award winning Off-Broadway musicals, “Our Sinatra" (2000 MAC Award) and “Singing Astaire." Ms. Kole has been hailed by critics as a “musical marvel!" (Rex Reed, New York Observer.) In reviewing Kole's performance in the New York Times, Stephen Holden wrote “swinging...sultry....sexy with a sharp-edged hint of brass in her voice...Kole locates the desperation and impatience lurking in Cole Porter's besotted lyrics." And Robert Daniels from Daily Variety said Kole is quite the prettiest young thrush on the club circuit...it's torch singing at its apex." Warm up at Birdland Christmas night as Ms. Kole recreates holiday favorites in her own unique and stunning style. Thursday, December 25 @ 11pm ($30)
Louis Hayes Quintet: Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band
For well over half a century, hard-bop drummer Louis Hayes has been one of the most recorded jazz drummers in history, contributing to hundreds of records. His popular Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band is dedicated to playing and recording the jazz of the 1950s and 1960s, saluting his old boss, alto sax legend Julian Cannonball Adderley. The band features Louis Hayes on drums, Julius Tolentino on alto sax, Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, Rick Germanson on piano, and Richie Goods on bass. Friday & Saturday, December 26 & 27 @ 8:30 & 11pm ($30 General Admission, $40 Orchestra)
Johnny Rodgers Band
Nationally acclaimed award winning singer/songwriter/pianist Johnny Rodgers is celebrating the release of two new CDs: Bound Together - the Johnny Rodgers Band (Mr. Rodgers on vocals and piano, Brian Glassman on double bass, Danny Mallon on drums, and Joe Ravo on guitar,) featuring guest artist Ben Taylor (son of music icons Carly Simon and James Taylor,) and Let's Make A Date, featuring guest artists Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy winning superstar Liza Minnelli and her musical mentor and longtime musical director, the late Bill Pappy LaVorgna, on drums. Rodgers has been featured and toured internationally with Minnelli, and will debut on Broadway in her new show at the Palace Theater this December! From sharing the stage with musical giants Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, smooth jazz recording artist Dave Koz and Oscar, Tony, Grammy-winning composer Stephen Schwartz, to performing for Billy Joel at Lincoln Center's ASCAP Founders Awards, Rodgers has exploded on the music scene like a supernova -"a first-rate singer-songwriter with robust vocals and exuberant pianism(Howard Reich/Chicago Tribune). He has been praised for his soaring, piano-driven songs that Show Business Weekly says he performs “like a combination Elton John, Billy Joel and James Taylor all rolled into one." Fresh and unique, Johnny's music is like taking a guided tour of American pop, with the driving energy of rock and roll blended with the sophistication of jazz. His songs also take side trips to places like upbeat New Orleans and Memphis soul. Monday, December 29 @ 7pm ($25 General Admission, $40 Orchestra)
New Year's Eve: Vocalist Hilary Kole with CHICO O'FARRILL'S JAZZ Orchestra (directed by Arturo O'Farrill, Jr.)
Back by popular demand Hilary Kole and Chico O'Farrill's Jazz Orchestra invite you to join them as they welcome in the New Year in true Birdland style! 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) Vocalist Hilary Kole is “swinging...sultry... sexy with a sharp-edged hint of brass in her voice...," says Stephen Holden of the New York Times. Wednesday, December 31 @ 8 & 11pm. 8pm show: $50 + $20 food/drink minimum @ Tables; $40 @ Bar. 11pm show: $70 + $20 food/drink minimum @ Tables; $40 @ Bar.
For more information contact O&M Co..
