Birdland Big Band feat. Emma Smith
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Birdland Big Band takes the late set at Birdland with guest vocalist Emma Smith. Directed by saxophonist David DeJesus, the BBB brings its original blend of jazz, funk, Brazilian, Latin and world music to the club’s regular big-band format. Smith is the featured guest for this performance, joining a band whose Birdland appearances are built around changing guest artists and a broad, arranged ensemble sound.
The band is led by DeJesus, whose credits include the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Mingus Big Band, Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars and Jimmy Heath’s Big Band. His work in Latin jazz and salsa has included Ruben Blades, Larry Harlow, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Arturo O’Farrill and Tito Rodriguez Jr.; he also plays with the Bobby Sanabria Big Band and Ron Carter’s Great Big Band. Emma Smith is a Parliamentary Jazz Vocalist of the Year winner who has collaborated with Michael Bublé, the Quincy Jones Orchestra, Jeff Goldblum, and the Jeremy Pelt and Wayne Escoffery quintet. Time Out New York called the BBB “a completely unique experience... there isn’t another band like this anywhere.”
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.