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-leaders Conal Fowkes, on piano and vocals, and Simon Wettenhall, on trumpet and vocals, are joined by Tom Abbott on clarinet, Harvey Tibbs on trombone, Josh Dunn on banjo, Brian Nalepka on bass and vocals, and Kevin Dorn on drums. Expect a full-band traditional jazz set shaped by the driving collective sound the group has developed over decades.
Based in New York, the band has long been associated with Woody Allen, serving as his band of choice for films, concert tours and weekly performances. Its members have appeared in or supplied 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. During the leaders’ 20-year Café Carlyle residency, Chick Corea, Marian McPartland and Diana Krall sat in with them. Scott Yanow singled out their “enthusiastic ensembles, colorful solos, and the general group spirit,” while Woody Allen called the playing “Authentic traditional jazz…the right way.”
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.