Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Vince Giordano leads the Nighthawks in his Birdland Theater residency, bringing an 11-piece band to the stage for a set devoted to the authentic jazz sounds of the 1920s and beyond. This is a full ensemble performance rather than a small-group date, with the band’s period-minded approach at the heart of the evening. The program comes from a group whose work is built around the detail, scale, and character of early jazz repertoire.
A New York native, Giordano is a GRAMMY Award winner and multi-instrumentalist who leads the Nighthawks in club and concert appearances around the world. The band has become a go-to source for period soundtracks in film and television, contributing to The Cotton Club, The Aviator, Finding Forrester, Revolutionary Road, Cafe Society, HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Their credits also include the Martin Scorsese film Killers of the Flower Moon. That screen work reflects the specialty on display here: recreating the musical language of the 1920s and later eras with an 11-piece band designed for the job.
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.