Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks bring their 11-piece band to Birdland for an evening devoted to the sounds of the 1920s and beyond. Led by New York native and multi-instrumentalist Giordano, the group recreates period jazz with an unusually broad instrumental palette that includes violins, tubas, banjos and vintage drum sets. Expect a full-band presentation rather than a small-combo set, rooted in the arrangements and textures of early jazz.
Giordano and the Nighthawks have played clubs and concerts around the world, and their command of period sound has also made them a resource for film and television. Their music has been heard in The Cotton Club, The Aviator, Finding Forrester, Revolutionary Road, Cafe Society, Boardwalk Empire and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Birdland says the band has “set the standard for recreating authentic jazz sounds of the 1920s and beyond.” Writing for the New Jersey Jazz Society, Joe Lang praised the way its 1920s and ’30s repertoire “makes it all sound fresh,” calling a visit “guaranteed to provide unmitigated fun.”
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.