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-led by trumpeter and vocalist Simon Wettenhall and pianist and vocalist Conal Fowkes. They 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 set built around the group’s driving take on the New Orleans tradition.
The band’s home base is not established in the available material, though a review calls it “the only seven-piece New Orleans-style jazz band with a steady gig in New York City.” For decades, the group has been Woody Allen’s band of choice for films, concert tours and weekly performances; members have appeared in or provided music for films including Wild Man Blues, Sweet and Lowdown, Midnight in Paris, Blue Jasmine and Café Society. During a 20-year residency at the Café Carlyle, Chick Corea, Marian McPartland and Diana Krall were among the musicians said to have sat in. Reviewing Live at Birdland, The Syncopated Times praised the band’s “enthusiastic ensembles, colorful solos, and the general group spirit,” calling the album “heartily recommended.”
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.