As the hope of indoor gathering continues to be unknowable, Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater launch a new venture: Radio Free Birdland. Presented in association with BroadwayWorld.com, Birdland will present state-of-the-art pay-per-view concerts twice a week—on Tuesdays and Thursdays— featuring jazz, cabaret and Broadway artists. The series launches on Tuesday, August 11 at 7 PM ET with David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Bandand is accessible via the BroadwayWorld streaming platform. Birdland staffer Ryan Paternite produces and directs and Jim Caruso serves as producer. During the Cold War in 1950, Radio Free Europe began broadcasting news and jazz recordings to nations imprisoned behind the Iron Curtain, sustaining morale and providing entertainment. Similarly, the producers at Birdland look forward to bringing extraordinary talent to the masses who are quarantined in their homes during the pandemic.
Each show will be filmed with three cameras, state-of-the-art sound, socially distanced musicians, and…no audience! Each concert will kick off with a live premiere event, featuring a special chat (which will include the performer) and will then be on-demand for 30 days on BroadwayWorld Events. Scheduled performers will include Paulo Szot, Kate Rockwell, Aisha de Haas, Max von Essen (with special guest Nick Adams), Julie Halston, Jessica Vosk, Jim Brickman, Nikki Renee Daniels, Billy Stritch, Matt Baker & Nicole Zuraitis, Christopher Sieber, Janis Siegel, Michael West as Kenn Boisinger, Natalie Douglas, Amanda Green, Monty Alexander, Houston Person, Telly Leung, Ken Peplowski, The Skivvies, The Louis Armstrong Centennial Band, Christina Bianco, Gabrielle Stravelli, and many more.
The first four performances are:
David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band
Tuesday, August 11, at 7pm EDT
Inspired by the jazz pioneers Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton and their colleagues, David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band features tuba player David Ostwald leading a rotating lineup of talent, such as clarinetist Anat Cohen, trombonist/vocalist Wycliffe Gordon, pianist Ehud Asherie, drummer Marion Felder and more.
Max Von Essen
Thursday, August 13 at 7pm EDT
Tony nominated leading man, Max von Essen, embraces his love of the golden age of Broadway and the American Songbook in this Birdland Theater solo show. Inspired by an era long past, from the Gershwins to Lerner and Loewe and from An American in Paris to Jersey Boys. He’s joined by Grammy winning songwriter and musical director, Billy Stritch, as well as special guest, Nick Adams.
An Evening with Monty Alexander
Tuesday, August 18 at 7pm EDT
In a rare solo performance, jazz pianist Monty Alexander shares stories and songs from his six decade career. Alexander melds the sounds of American jazz, popular song, and the music of his native Jamaica, reinterpreting the music of a diverse collection of his favorite artists including Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett and Bob Marley.
Natalie Douglas: Singin’ in the Wire
Thursday, August 20 at 7pm EDT
Twelve-time Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs Winner, Natalie Douglas, has performed at Carnegie Hall, Cafe Carlyle, The Town Hall, Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Pheasantry in London, and at Birdland Jazz Club where her award-winning TRIBUTES monthly residency has presented the music of Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Elvis, Dolly Parton, Nat “King” Cole, Dame Shirley Bassey, Ella Fitzgerald, Roberta Flack and more.
For tickets and more visit events.broadwayworld.com
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