Birdland (315 West 44th Street between 8th & 9th Aves.) is pleased to announce an exciting line-up of extraordinary entertainment for the month of January. A detailed schedule follows:
Arturo OFarrill Quintet
Kick off the New Year right here with a three-night run of Arturo OFarrills quintet! Son of the legendary bandleader Chico OFarrill, Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Arturo OFarrill directs Symphony Spaces Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Birdlands weekly Chico OFarrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, and formerly the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Thursday-Saturday, January 1-3 @ 8:30 & 11pm ($30 General Admission, $40 Orchestra)
Tocho Swing Beats Orchestra presents Jazz for Peace
Tocho Swing Beats Orchestra is a Big Band consisting primarily of workers at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office and other Tokyo-based local government organizations. Considered one of Japans top orchestras, Tocho Swing Beats has performed many concerts in Japan and abroad since their establishment in 1948. Sunday, January 4 @ 6pm ($25)
Julie Halston: Holiday Muffaletta
Julie Halston has decided - for one night only - to throw caution to the wind and just go CRAZY with new material, old material and of course new clothes! Don't miss this fabulous comedienne in a one night only post-holiday bash crammed with goodies! Monday, January 5 @ 7pm ($25 General Admission, $50 Orchestra)
Dave Holland Octet
At the pinnacle of his career, Dave Holland has settled into the unassuming role of jazz master. Grammy-winner, bandleader, and bassist phenom, Holland has one of the most celebrated and accomplished legacies in contemporary jazz. A band leader for the better part of two decades, taking cues from Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and Charles Mingus, Holland commands attention as few bassists ever have, and has collaborated in two of the top jazz collectives of the decade: the ScoLoHoFo Quartet comprised of Holland, John Scofield, Joe Lovano and Al Foster, and the Herbie Hancock-piloted all-star Quartet including Wayne Shorter and Brian Blade. The London native returns to Birdland with his newly-formed group. Holland is sure to entertain with his octet's various styles that can on any given evening range from bebop to free jazz. Wednesday-Sunday, January 7-11 @ 8:30 & 11pm ($30 General Admission, $40 Orchestra)
APAP Showcases: Erin Bode and Karrin Allyson
With over forty years as an active arts service organization, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters is the nexus for the performing arts community and the innovators in the field. This year, APAP brings together the exquisite talents of jazz vocalists Erin Bode and three-time Grammy Award nominee Karrin Allyson as a part of their 2008 conference in NYC. This winning combination makes for an excellent presentation of two of todays top female jazz performers. Sunday, January 11 @ 6pm ($25)
Scott Alan
Composer/lyricist Scott Alan returns to Birdland to celebrate the release of his latest CD and will be joined by many talented friends. “Scott wears his heart on his sleeve - both sleeves - and it's a big heart; he expresses his feelings with unabashed emotion. Run for the hills if you don't like open wounds in songs, but you'll be missing some of our best musical theater singers treating a skilled writer's work with care and matching his passion ... Dynamite was never so heartfelt," raves Rob Lester of Talkin' Broadway. With a line-up of special guests including Lisa Brescia (Aida), Heidi Blickenstaff ([title of show]), Jenn Colella (High Fidelity), Erin Davie (Grey Gardens), Sutton Foster (Shrek), Hadley Fraser (The Pirate Queen), Nikki M. James (All Shook Up), Marcus Paul James (In the Heights), Kenita Miller (The Color Purple), The Broadway Boys and Lauren Thomas, Katie Thompson and Natalie Weiss (Monday Nights, New Voices) performing Alans original compositions, this is a night not to be missed.
For more information on Scott, please visit www.scottalan.net.
Monday, January 12 @ 7pm
($30 General Admission, $50 Orchestra)
Pat Martino Organ Quartet Virtuoso guitarist Martino got his start on the “chitlin' circuit" with organ groups led by “Groove" Holmes, Jack McDuff, Don Patterson, Trudy Pitts, Charles Earland and others. Having fully recovered from a life-threatening illness in the 1980's that caused him to forget how to play the guitar, he relearned by listening to his own 1960's recordings and has re-emerged as a veteran presence on the jazz scene due in part to a successful association with Blue Note Records. Martinos playing is as fiery and technically brilliant as ever and he constantly challenges himself with new music and exciting young band mates.
Wednesday-Saturday, January 14-17 @ 8:30 & 11pm ($30 General Admission, $40 Orchestra)
Patrick DeGennaro Multi Award winning singer songwriter Patrick DeGennaro returns to Birdland to rock the house! DeGennaros last two Birdland appearances were sold out smash hits! His debut, The Bacharach Songbook, earned him the 2007 MAC Award for Outstanding Male Vocalist, and his last show's opener, Friend, garnered a 2008 MAC nomination for Song Of The Year. Often compared to Billy Joel and Elton John for his classic pop rock style, DeGennaros vocals are in a league of their own. From hard-edged pop-rock, gospel and funk to silky smooth r&b, and romantic ballads, DeGennaros concerts are always a satisfying mix of musical styles. DeGennaro and his band (Alec Berlin (guitar), Randy Landau (bass), Clayton Craddock (drums), and John Roggie (keyboards), have more original tunes planned for this outing, plus the usual touch of classics. Annie Golden, star of the films “Hair" and “12 Monkeys," and the Broadway shows The Full Monty and Assassins will be Patricks special guest. The two have some show stopping duets planned as well as their first original collaboration Letting Go."
Monday, January 19 @ 7pm
($25 General Admission, $35 Orchestra)
Monty Alexander Trio (1/21-1/22) & Jazz and Roots Ensemble (1/23-1/24)
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. After starting the week out with his fusion-oriented trio, the Kingston, Jamaica-born pianist will continue into the weekend with his Jazz and Roots Ensemble. 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. Alexander explains, My goal is to uplift. 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, and I'm not a reggae musician. I'm a musician who loves it all.
Wednesday-Thursday (Trio) & Friday-Saturday
(Jazz and Roots Ensemble), January 21-24 @ 8:30 & 11pm
($30 General Admission, $40 Orchestra)
Jeremy Schonfeld
Jeremy Schonfelds singular blend of tuneful pop, hard-edged rock, gospel, soul and blues has drawn him comparisons to Billy Joel and Jonathan Larson in the New York Times, and has made him one of todays most sought after singer/songwriter talents and musical theater composers. Smart and contemporary with intelligent lyrics, Schonfeld attended the Berklee College of Music and participated in the BMI Lehman-Engel Musical Theater Workshop. Joined by top Broadway talent, Jeremy returns to the Birdland stage for one night only to showcase songs from previously released albums 37 Notebooks, Blue Skies and All and Drift, as well as unreleased originals and songs from forthcoming projects.
Monday, January 26 @ 7pm ($25)
Dave Liebman Group
The quintessential contemporary jazzman, saxophonist David Liebman has spent his whole career playing with some of the best in the business. He spent extensive periods as a member of the Miles Davis and Elvin Jones groups. As a leader, he has been associated since 1970 with a succession of extraordinary groups from Open Sky Trio to Lookout Farm, to Quest each of which has framed a distinct phase of his musical evolution. The Dave Liebman Group was formed in 1991 and pursues a very eclectic contemporary style. With Liebman, Randy Brecker (Trumpet), Marc Copland (Piano), Drew Gress (Bass), and Billy Hart (Drums), each member brings forth a wide range of talents, enabling the music to move in many exciting directions. Larry Nai of All About Jazz writes, “the Liebman Group is a closely-attuned band that plays challenging, colorful music, that seems capable of drawing the most blase of audiences into it's orbit.
Wednesday-Saturday, January 28-31 @ 8:30 & 11pm
($30 General Admission, $40 Orchestra)
REGULAR MONTHLY ENGAGEMENTS
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.
Sundays, January 18 & 25 @ 6pm ($20)
CHICO OFARRILLS AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA
(directed by Arturo OFarrill, Jr.)
Arranger-bandleader Arturo Chico O Farrill, Sr. began introducing Afro-Cuban rhythms into jazz in the 1940s. The band bearing Chicos name (directed by his son Arturo) continues to showcase the most seamless blend of clav rhythm and bebop harmony anywhere. (Time Out)
Sundays, January 7, 14, 21, 28 @ 9&11pm ($25)
JIM CARUSOS CAST PARTY
No one can be called a true New Yorker until theyve 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 Broadways 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, January 5, 12, 19, 26 @ 9:3opm
($10 cover/$10 minimum)
THE MUSIC OF DUKE ELLINGTONw/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.
Tuesdays, January 6, 13, 20, 27 @ 8:30pm & 11pm ($25)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION, PLEASE NOTE:
Music charges vary by performer
At the tables, there is a $10 food/drink minimum per person in addition to the music charge.
At the bar, the music charge includes one complimentary drink, no additional minimum.
American Fare w/ a Cajun Accent served nightly from 5PMMid. & until 1am Fri. & Sat.
Discount parking garage across the street at 332 West 44th Street.
For further information and reservations call (212) 581-3080
Purchase tickets 24 hours a day at: www.birdlandjazz.com
For more information contact O&M Co..
