Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Vince Giordano brings the Nighthawks to Birdland Theater for a date in the bandleader’s residency. Giordano leads an 11-piece ensemble in a set devoted to the authentic jazz sounds of the 1920s and beyond. Expect the precise, period-minded arrangements that have made the group a regular fit for listeners drawn to early jazz’s dance rhythms, collective drive and detailed orchestral textures.
A New York native, Giordano is a Grammy Award winner and multi-instrumentalist who sings as well as playing, with tuba and bass among his principal instruments. His New York City-based Nighthawks have been working since 1976, first as the New Orleans Nighthawks, and are recognized as champions of “hot jazz,” the catchy, swinging music of the 1920s and 1930s. Their period sound has reached far beyond the bandstand through soundtracks for The Cotton Club, The Aviator, Revolutionary Road, Boardwalk Empire, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Killers of the Flower Moon. The New York Times called their vintage swing “An erupting sense of euphoria.”
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.