Frank Vignola's Guitar Night
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Frank Vignola's Guitar Night brings Vignola, Pasquale Grasso, Gary Mazzaroppi and Alex Raderman to Birdland Theater for a weekly jazz-guitar session. Vignola and Grasso play guitar, with Mazzaroppi on bass and Raderman on drums. The program draws on the standard repertoire and follows the model of Los Angeles Guitar Night, the long-running gathering inspired by journeyman guitarist John Pisano. The series also welcomes weekly guest artists, though none is named for this date.
Vignola's virtuosity has made him a first-call guitarist for musicians and ensembles including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Tommy Emmanuel, the Boston Pops and the New York Pops. At Birdland, his Guitar Night focuses that experience on the many facets of jazz guitar, pairing him with fellow guitarist Grasso and a bass-and-drums rhythm section. It is a regular Wednesday forum rather than a one-off bill: a chance to hear familiar standards approached through the combined perspectives of two guitarists, with the format leaving room for visiting players when announced.
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.