Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Vince Giordano leads the Nighthawks for a Birdland Theater residency date, bringing the band’s 11-piece approach to the jazz sounds of the 1920s and beyond. Expect a period-minded orchestra rather than a stripped-down combo: the group recreates the hot jazz and dance-band language of the era with arrangements built for a larger ensemble.
A New York native, Giordano is a bass instrumentalist who specializes in 1920s and ’30s jazz. The Nighthawks have spent decades preserving that repertoire and supplying period sound for screen projects including The Cotton Club, The Aviator, Finding Forrester, Revolutionary Road, Café Society, Boardwalk Empire, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Their recorded lineup includes violin, trumpets, trombone, saxophones and clarinets, piano, banjo or guitar, tuba, vocals, and drums. The New York Times called their vintage swing “An erupting sense of euphoria,” while the Associated Press singled out “muted horns, creamy winds, and lots of hi-hat.”
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.