Pianist-singer Billy Stritch and award-winning jazz vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli appear at Birdland Jazz Club on Monday, September 19 at 7:00 PM with Mel and Ella Swing!, an evening of music celebrating the legendary Mel Tormé and Ella Fitzgerald.
The duo will present favorites from the Great American Songbook (“Night and Day,” “I Won’t Dance,” “I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket”) and swinging standards from the world of jazz (“Too Close for Comfort,” “Lady Be Good”).
Billy 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. In addition to his 25-year collaboration with as accompanist and opening act for Liza. As a solo entertainer in his own right, he has performed his own shows and has served as music director for leading vocalists.
Gabrielle Stravelli regularly leads her quartet in performances at jazz clubs and performing arts centers nationwide, 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. As a US State Department “Jazz Ambassador” she has performed and taught throughout Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and South America.
There is a $30 music charge and a $20 food and beverage minimum. For reservations, please call 212-581-3080 or visit www.BirdlandJazz.com.
Birdland is located at 315 West 44th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues) in Manhattan.
