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 lineup to Birdland, co-led by trumpeter and vocalist Simon Wettenhall and pianist and vocalist Conal Fowkes. Tom Abbott, Harvey Tibbs, Josh Dunn, Brian Nalepka and Kevin Dorn round out the group on clarinet, trombone, banjo, bass and drums.
For decades, the band has been Woody Allen’s choice for films, concert tours and weekly performances, with credits including Wild Man Blues, Sweet and Lowdown, Midnight in Paris and A Rainy Day in New York. Chick Corea, Marian McPartland and Diana Krall were among the guests during the group’s 20-year Café Carlyle residency. Reviewing Live at Birdland, The Syncopated Times praised its “enthusiastic ensembles, colorful solos, and the general group spirit.”
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.