Last Visit : December 2024
My rating : 10/10
For whom : for all jazz music lovers
Price : $56 per person plus a drink
If there's one place in New York that embodies the soul of jazz, it's Birdland. Located in the heart of Manhattan, this historic jazz club has hosted some of the genre's greatest legends, from Charlie Parker to John Coltrane. Today, among the most fascinating performances that can be heard on its stage, stands out that of Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks , an orchestra that manages to revive the sound of the jazz age with extraordinary fidelity and energy.
The Birdland: A Historic Jazz Venue
Birdland is one of New York City's most legendary jazz clubs and a cornerstone of jazz history. Founded in 1949 by Morris Levy, the club was named after Charlie "Bird" Parker, one of the most influential saxophonists in jazz history. Originally located on 52nd Street, at the heart of the jazz scene of the time, Birdland quickly became a hub for the greatest musicians of the 20th century. The song "Lullaby of Birdland," a staple of Ella Fitzgerald's repertoire, was inspired by the club and was written when Morris Levy, owner of Birdland, asked pianist and composer George Shearing to write a song as a theme song for the club's radio show.
During its early years, Birdland hosted some of the most iconic performances in jazz history. The club's stage hosted the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Sarah Vaughan, and John Coltrane. It was at Birdland that Coltrane recorded the legendary "Live at Birdland" in 1963, an album that captures the intensity and depth of his innovative style.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Birdland was known for its "All-Star Sessions," nights where jazz stars would take turns on stage, creating unique and memorable performances. The club was a meeting point for musicians, critics and enthusiasts, helping to cement New York as the jazz capital of the world.
In 1965, due to financial difficulties and changing musical tastes, Birdland closed its doors. However, its legacy did not disappear: in 1986, the club reopened in a new location in Midtown Manhattan (so no, sadly, attending a concert at Birdland does not mean you walk on the same floors as the giants of jazz history), keeping the spirit of its golden age alive. Since then, it has continued to host some of today's best jazz musicians, including Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, Wynton Marsalis, and Pat Metheny.
The Atmosphere of Birdland
Entering Birdland is like stepping back in time. The venue, with its classic decor and dim lighting, exudes history and passion for jazz; walking down the narrow staircase to the concert hall and seeing the name written on the wall is sure to send shivers down the spine of any music lover. The crowd is a perfect mix of jazz aficionados, tourists looking for an authentic experience, and New Yorkers who love live music. The staff welcomes you with a smile, and once you've taken your seat, the wait for the concert to begin is marked by the clinking of glasses and the low murmur of the room.
Who are Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks?
Vince Giordano is not only a talented musician, but a true custodian of the jazz tradition. With his orchestra, the Nighthawks , he reinterprets the music of the 20s and 30s with impressive authenticity. Giordano is known not only for his skill with the tuba, banjo and double bass, but also for his role as a historian and collector of vintage sheet music. The band has gained international fame thanks to its performances in films and television series such as Boardwalk Empire , some films by Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese where the soundtrack was curated by Giordano himself.
The Concert: A Journey Through Time
When Vince Giordano and his Orchestra take the stage, the audience knows they are in for something special. The ensemble, composed of extraordinarily talented musicians, offers a repertoire that ranges from classics by Duke Ellington to pieces by composers such as Fletcher Henderson and Paul Whiteman.
The performance is a celebration of golden age jazz: the warm sounds of the wind instruments, the elegance of the melodic lines and the pressing rhythm of the rhythm section transport the spectators directly to the speakeasies of the 1920s. Giordano's double bass holds together the entire orchestra, while the wind solos alternate in a lively and engaging dialogue. Vince Giordano and the band members are true entertainers; in addition to delighting the audience with an extraordinary musical performance that allows spectators to relive the atmosphere of a wild jazz club from the Prohibition era, between one piece and another the musicians entertain the audience with gags, jokes and by provoking each other, making a show even more pleasant and light-hearted in which the music alone would be enough to accompany the spectator for the entire evening without a moment of boredom or inattention.
Memorable Moments of the Evening
The repertoire performed by the band varies from night to night. The piece that moved me the most was probably "West End Blues" , one of the classics of Louis Armstrong's repertoire with the Hot Five.
One of the highlights of the evening is the performance of "Singin' the Blues," a song made famous by Bix Beiderbecke. The cornet solo, delivered with incredible lyricism, draws thunderous applause from the audience. Another spine-chilling moment comes with "Stompin' at the Savoy," which has the entire room tapping their feet and snapping their fingers. The setlist continues with other classics such as " Honeysuckle Rose ," " Puttin' on the Ritz ," and many more classics of early jazz, swing, and Dixieland.
But the real beating heart of the performance is Vince Giordano himself : his passion for this music shines through in every note, in the way he leads the band and in his interactions with the audience; an exceptional multi-instrumentalist, Vince switches from the tuba bass, to the double bass, to the guitar, always directing the band with enthusiasm that shines through in his expressions and his looks; with historical anecdotes and a contagious energy, he transforms every performance into a lesson in the history of jazz, without ever being didactic or boring.
The service
The quality of the food is obviously secondary to the concert experience; however, Birdland surprises with cuisine of an unexpected quality: the fried calamari was excellent, as was the seafood gumbo and even the consumption of cocktails was not stimulated only by the pleasantness of the evening and the knowledge of not having to drive to get home...
Alternatives to Birdland
Of course, New York is a city with an inexhaustible supply of jazz clubs. Besides Birdland, it’s impossible not to mention at least the Village Vanguard—just as renowned—and then the Blue Note, Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke, Cleopatra’s Needle, Iridium ... On 53rd Street, I stumbled upon two Japanese venues that I didn’t manage to get into, but they looked very promising both in terms of food and music: Tomi Jazz and No Work Allowed. Perhaps you’ll have better luck than I did.
Live Jazz in New York. Why You Should See Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks at Birdland
Anyone who loves live jazz or is simply curious about a different kind of night out in New York should see Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks at Birdland at least once. Their ability to recreate the atmosphere of the Jazz Age with a rare authenticity makes each show unique. Plus, Birdland is the perfect setting to enjoy this experience: a historic venue that keeps the tradition of jazz alive in the city that has helped define it more than any other.
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