The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band brings its seven-piece New Orleans-style jazz lineup to Birdland. Co-led by trumpeter Simon Wettenhall and pianist and vocalist Conal Fowkes, the group features Tom Abbott on clarinet, Harvey Tibbs on trombone, Josh Dunn on guitar and banjo, Brian Nalepka on bass and vocals, and Kevin Dorn on drums. Expect a set rooted in early jazz and repertoire that looks back to the first decades of the 20th century.
A New York-based group, High Society has been Woody Allen’s band of choice for films, tours, and performances over several decades. Members have appeared in or provided music for films including Wild Man Blues, Sweet and Lowdown, Midnight in Paris, Blue Jasmine, Cafe Society, Magic in the Moonlight, and A Rainy Day in New York. Their 20-year Café Carlyle residency brought sit-ins from Chick Corea, Marian McPartland, and Diana Krall. Reviewing Live at Birdland, The Syncopated Times praised its “enthusiastic ensembles, colorful solos, and the general group spirit,” while Jazz Weekly called it “Crescent City pleasures.”
Birdland offers a refined jazz experience in a room where the audience sits at tables close to the stage, allowing every note to reach you clearly. The venue features a full menu with dishes like New Orleans-style gumbo alongside a well-stocked bar, making it easy to enjoy a meal or drinks while listening. Each show is ticketed per set, encouraging focused listening as the music unfolds in roughly 45-minute segments. The club’s walls echo decades of jazz history, having hosted legends and continuing to attract top contemporary artists. Located in Manhattan’s Theater District, the space balances a serious music environment with the energy of a night out, where attentive audiences savor the performances without distraction. Booking ahead is essential, as the club fills quickly for its celebrated lineup.