Frank Vignola's Guitar Night with Guest Hosts Jimmy Bruno and Ed Cherry
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Frank Vignola’s Guitar Night lands at Birdland with guest hosts Jimmy Bruno and Ed Cherry. Vignola leads the weekly program with Pasquale Grasso on guitar, Gary Mazzaroppi on bass, and Alex Raderman on drums. The night is built around jazz guitar, with the group playing tunes from the standard repertoire and welcoming guest artists. This edition puts Bruno and Cherry in the hosting role, giving the regular Guitar Night format two additional guitar voices and a focused look at the many approaches the instrument takes in jazz.
Vignola’s series takes its inspiration from guitarist John Pisano’s Los Angeles Guitar Night, a long-running gathering shaped by repertoire, musicianship, and guests. Vignola is known for virtuosity and for being a first-call guitarist for major artists and ensembles. His credits include work with Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Tommy Emmanuel, and the Boston and New York Pops. At Birdland, that breadth is channeled into a standing Wednesday session: a working band, familiar jazz material, and room for visiting players to bring their own language to the songs.
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.