Renowned pianist and singer Billy Stritch and award-winning jazz vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli will return with their special show Mel and Ella Swing! on Monday, June 5 at 7:00 PM at Birdlnd Jazz Club.
The pair will combine their talents for an evening of great music celebrating legends Mel Tormé and Ella Fitzgerald. They will include favorites from the Great American Songbook (“The Man I Love,” “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,” “Cheek to Cheek”) and swinging standards from the world of jazz (“Too Close for Comfort,” “Oh, Lady Be Good!”).
Stritch is one of the premier singer-pianists on the New York and national jazz and cabaret scenes. He began his career in Houston, Texas, where he formed the vocal trio Montgomery, Plant and Stritch. The trio performed all over New York and Europe from 1983 until they disbanded in 1990. A chance meeting with Liza Minnelli in March of 1991 resulted in her asking him to create vocal arrangements for the record-breaking extravaganza Liza Stepping Out at Radio City Music Hall. Stritch also toured with the legendary Tony Bennett. A solo entertainer in his own right, he has performed his own shows and serves as musical director for such leading vocalists as Linda Eder, Christine Ebersole and Linda Lavin.
Stravelli pairs a jazz artist’s musicianship with an ability to interpret lyrics and connect with an audience. She regularly leads her quartet in performances at the country’s finest jazz clubs and performing arts centers and has headlined domestic and international jazz festivals including the 2021 and 2018 WBGO Jazz on the Mountain Festival in New Paltz, NY, the 2019 Providencia Jazz Festival in Santiago, Chile, the 2016 All That Jazz Festival in Eleuthera, Bahamas and the 2014 Maree Sonore Festival in Venice, Italy. She was honored with the 2020 Bistro Award for Outstanding Recording.
There is a $30 music charge and a $20 food and beverage minimum. For reservations, please call (212) 581-3080 or visitwww.BirdlandJazz.com.
Birdland is located at 315 West 44th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues) in Manhattan.
