August Nites at Birdland (NYC)

DAVID OSTWALD'S LOUIS ARMSTRONG CENTENNIAL BAND
Every Wednesday from 5pm-7pm
Music Charge: $10

THE BIRDLAND BIG BAND
directed by TOMMY IGOE
Every Friday from 5-7pm
Music Charge: $20

Featuring the finest musicians in New York! The BBB roars into action every Friday, playing the finest Jazz, Latin and Brazilian music from the world's best arrangers. After work or before a show, drinks or a great dinner, come hear one of the world's best drummers driving the hardest swinging band in New York. Experience why the BBB is fast becoming the must-see weekly jazz event in New York and kick off your weekend with what critics are calling “the best live music bargain in all of NYC!"

ANDY FARBER BIG BAND
Sundays: August 2 at 6pm ($20)
*Just added: Sunday September 6 at 9pm & 11pm ($25)

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.

THE BIRDLAND JAZZ PARTY
featuring Hilary Kole
Sundays: August 9,16,23,30; September 13,20,27; October 4,11 at 6pm - Music Charge: $20

Come join the party as vocalist Hilary Kole and a rotating line-up of New York's finest musicians jam at the early set on Sunday nights! Ms. Kole recently released her debut album, 'Haunted Heart,' to rave reviews and a fast-growing international fan base. The New York Observer hails her as “hip and lovely, a musical marvel," while Stephen Holden of the New York Times calls her “swinging... sultry... sexy with a sharp-edged hint of brass in her voice."

CHICO O'FARRILL'S AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Directed by Arturo O'Farrill: Sundays September 13,20,27; October 4,11,18,25 - 9 & 11pm shows Music Charge: $30

Arranger-bandleader Arturo 'Chico' O'Farrill, Sr. began introducing Afro-Cuban rhythms into jazz in the 1940's. The band that bears Chico's name (and is directed by his son Arturo) “continues to showcase the most seamless blend of clave rhythm and bebop harmony anywhere." (Time Out)

Sundays in August
THE ARTURO O'FARRILL QUINTET
August 2,9,16,23,30 - 9 & 11pm shows
Music Charge: $30

Monday Monday
JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY
Hosted by Jim Caruso, with the Cast Party “Symphony Orchestra"
Mondays August 3,10,17,24,31
9:30pm until 1am, $10 admission + $10 minimum

“No one can call themselves a true New Yorker until they've been to the 'Cast Party,' 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." (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.

TRIO 3 + GERI ALLEN
Oliver Lake (sax) Reggie Workman (bass) Andrew Cyrille (drums)
Special Guest: Geri Allen (piano)
Wednesday-Saturday, August 5-8 @ 8:30 & 11pm
Music Charges: $30, general seating; $40, premium seating

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 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.

“Under the Covers"
VICTORIA SHAW
Monday, August 10 @ 7pm
Music Charge: $25

Pop/country songwriter Victoria Shaw is 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 McEntyre, Tricia Yearwood, Billy Ray Cyrus, Michael McDonald, and more.

DAVE STRYKER & “Blue To The Bone"
Tuesday, August 11 @ 8:30 & 11pm
Music Charge: $25

Whether you've heard guitarist Dave Stryker fronting his own group (with 20 CD's as a leader to date), or as a featured sideman with Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and Kevin Mahogany, you know why Gary Giddins in the Village Voice calls him “one of the most distinctive guitarists to come along in recent years." He was voted one of the Top Ten Guitarists in the 2001 Critics and Readers poll of Downbeat Magazine, and was recently elected again as a Rising Star in the 2006 and 2007 Downbeat Critics Poll. Dave Stryker brings to Birdland his Blue to the Bone Band, which features the guitarist with three other rhythm players and four horns. An ongoing project since 1996, the band showcases Stryker's blues side.

“The Queen of Bossa Nova"
LENY ANDRADE
Wednesday-Saturday, August 12-15 @ 8:30 & 11pm
Music Charges: $30, general seating; $40, premium seating

Making the virtuosic and vigorous style of samba-jazz her main field of expression, Leny Andrade acquired a solid reputation as a singer and improviser, acknowledged by the many top musicians who have performed with her, such as Paquito D'Rivera (who considers Andrade his favorite singer), Luiz Ea, Dick Farney, Joo Donato, Eumir Deodato, and Francis Hime. Leny Andrade's eclectic style became better defined with the advent of bossa nova, through which she introduced jazz elements into her singing. Finally, she embraced a synthesis of samba-jazz that refutes much of the delicacy and attention to the lyrics as proposed by bossa nova, in favor of a more energetic interpretation.

NICK ADAMS
Monday, August 17 @ 7pm
Music Charge: $25, general seating; $35, premium seating

Broadway's NICK ADAMS, direct from his role as Liver Lips Louie in the revival of Guys and Dolls makes his solo club debut at Birdland. Adams also appeared in the Broadway productions of “The Pirate Queen," “Chicago" and “A Chorus Line" where he played opposite Mario Lopez. Under the musical direction of James Sampliner, Adams will be joined by special guests to be announced.

BOBBY BROOM TRIO
Tuesday, August 18 @ 8:30 & 11pm
Music Charge: $25

A consummate jazz improviser, gifted composer, and accomplished bandleader, guitarist Bobby Broom has been turning heads ever since the release of his 1981 debut, Clean Sweep. Twenty-five years and a lifetime of bandstand experience later, including invaluable sideman stints with such jazz greats as Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Kenny Burrell, Stanley Turrentine, and Charles Earland as well as the enigmatic New Orleans-er, Dr. John, the 45-year-old guitarist is at the peak of his powers, swinging with authority and ingenuity on “Bobby Broom Plays For Monk," his third CD for the Origin label and 8th overall as a leader. Along with his working rhythm tandem of longtime bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Kobie Watkins, the Chicago-based guitarist reinvents jazz icon Thelonious Monk's iconoclastic repertoire. The result of Broom's various musical influences is a blend of modern jazz that's soulful and thoughtful and is, as Broom explained, “my way of adding a personal touch to my jazz experience and my listeners jazz experience."

RICHIE BEIRACH QUINTET
Wednesday-Saturday, August 19-22 @ 8:30 & 11pm
Music Charges: $30, general seating; $40, premium seating
featuring: Tim Hagans (trumpet, 8/19 only) Randy Brecker (trumpet, 8/20-22) George Mraz (bass) Billy Hart (drums) Gregor Huebner (violin)

Richie Beirach's career as a jazz pianist began at the Berklee College of Music, after having studied both classical and jazz piano. 1972 he began working with Stan Getz, and went on to collaborate with other great talents such as Chet Baker and French saxophonist Henrik Frisk, while maintaining an ongoing musical partnership with David Liebman from the 1970s to the 90s, in Lookout Farm, Quest and many duos. Richie's style is influenced by Art Tatum, Bill Evans, and his earlier classical training, yet is also unique with many qualities all its own. This blend of classic foundation and individual style has landed several of his compositions, such as “Leaving" and “Elm," into the jazz standard repertoire.

SALLY MAYES
“After All - A Birthday Celebration"
Monday, August 24 @ 7pm
Music Charge: $30

Join Broadway belter Sally Mayes for a wacky, fun filled, and emotional trek down Memory Lane as she celebrates a big birthday! Joining her will be friends and costars from some of her favorite moments over the years. With Special Guests Patrick Brady, Jim Caruso, George Dvorsky, Lina Koutrakos, Sharon Montgomery, Billy Stritch, Lynne Wintersteller, and Jessica Wright. Sally Mayes is known for her Broadway and Off-Broadway performances, including She Loves Me (Tony nomination), Welcome To The Club, Closer Than Ever, Das Barbeque, Pete N' Keely, and Urban Cowboy. She won raves for her performance as Mae West in the National tour of Dirty Blonde, and her nightclub and concert career has resulted in four solo albums.

HANK JONES
Trio + Special Guests
Tuesday-Saturday, August 25-29 @ 8:30 & 11pm
Music Charges: $30, general seating; $40, premium seating

To hear Hank Jones is to understand why he is one of the rare individuals that the National Endowment for the Arts inducted as a “Jazz Master." In over seventy years as a jazz pianist and composer, his playing style has embodied the essence of mainstream jazz making him one of the most sought after and recorded pianists throughout jazz history. As one of the few surviving jazz greats photographed in “A Great Day in Harlem," he has also participated in other historical events such as accompanying Marilyn Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday Mr. President" to President John F. Kennedy. Along with being nominated for Grammy awards for “Bop Redux," “Love for sale" and “I Remember You," Hank Jones has been recognized by many prestigious organizations such as The International Jazz Hall of Fame, Jazz Journalist Award, Congressional Achievement Award, Highlights in Jazz award, and more. The eldest surviving member of a prolific Jazz musician family, which included the late drummer Elvin Jones and trumpeter/composer Thad Jones, Hank returns to Birdland with his trio to mark his 91st birthday.

The DARMON MEADER Quintet
Monday, August 31 @ 7pm
Music Charge: $25

Recognized in both the jazz vocal and instrumental worlds, Darmon Meader is a distiguished vocalist, arranger and saxophonist. Darmon has achieved international recognition as the founder, musical director, chief arranger, composer, producer, saxophonist, and tenor vocalist with New York Voices. In January of 2008, Darmon released his much anticipated debut solo CD, And So Am I. Darmon's solo project is a collection of jazz standards and original works, which reflects his varied skills as a singer, saxophonist, writer and arranger, and although his music is steeped in the jazz tradition, he explores a wide variety of styles, orchestration approaches and concepts.

BIRDLAND is located at 315 West 44th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues in Manhattan, New York.

212/581-3080