Joe Lovano Nonet
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Birdland’s late set is billed as the Joe Lovano Nonet, the expanded ensemble led by saxophonist Joe Lovano. The available information does not confirm the personnel for this date, but the Nonet has historically brought together saxophones, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass and drums. Lovano characterizes its approach as “groove city”: music that is “swinging, telling stories, and hitting a groove together.”
Lovano was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and the musicians associated with this group first crossed paths in the early 1970s through Woody Herman’s band, Mel Lewis’ band and smaller groups. The Nonet is associated with 52nd Street Themes, described by the Litchfield Jazz Festival as a Grammy-winning large-ensemble album. Reviewing On This Day… At The Vanguard, All About Jazz wrote that the ensemble had “found its groove” and performed at “a consistently high level,” highlighting Lewis Nash’s drumming and John Hicks’ piano. The group’s recorded history points to a flexible personnel model rather than one fixed roster.
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.