ANDERSON BROTHERS: THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
At Birdland, Peter and Will Anderson bring their American Songbook program to the stage with an all-star quintet. The identical twin reed players will interpret standards associated with Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, Rodgers and Arlen, tracing a route through songs that remain central to the jazz repertoire. Expect clarinet and saxophone at the heart of the set, with the brothers' shared approach to melody, swing and the detail of these durable tunes.
The Andersons are Washington, D.C.-born Juilliard graduates known for classic-jazz and Songbook performances. Both play clarinet and saxophone, and Will also plays flute. They have shared stages with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Wycliffe Gordon, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Paquito D’Rivera and Wynton Marsalis, and appeared on the Boardwalk Empire soundtrack with Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks. The New York Times has called them “virtuosos on clarinet & saxophone,” while The Front Row Center praised their “clarity of sound, precision, and total freedom.”
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.