Birdland Big Band feat. Emma Smith
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Birdland Big Band brings its resident big-band set to the club with singer Emma Smith as featured guest. Directed by saxophonist David DeJesus, the ensemble works through the original blend of jazz, funk, Brazilian, Latin and world music that anchors its regular Birdland appearances. This is a focused big-band performance with a guest vocalist at the front of the bill, rather than a one-off tribute or release show.
The Birdland Big Band is known for a repertory that crosses rhythmic and stylistic lines while retaining a contemporary big-band frame. Time Out New York called it “a completely unique experience… there isn’t another band like this anywhere,” while All About Jazz, reviewing the group’s album Storybook, praised its “well-arranged and sharply performed contemporary big-band jazz.” DeJesus brings experience with the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Mingus Big Band, Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars and Jimmy Heath’s Big Band, as well as Latin jazz and salsa artists including Rubén Blades, Larry Harlow, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Arturo O’Farrill and Tito Rodríguez Jr.
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.