Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks bring their 11-piece orchestra to Birdland for a set devoted to the hot jazz, swing and popular music of the 1920s and 1930s. Led by multi-instrumentalist Giordano, the band recreates the arrangements and sound world of the period, with the scale and detail that a full dance-band lineup can supply. Expect an evening rooted in early jazz repertoire rather than a contemporary jazz set.
Based in New York City, the Nighthawks have built a reputation for historically faithful performances of swing-era music. Birdland says they “set the standard for recreating authentic jazz sounds of the 1920s and beyond,” while the Litchfield Jazz Festival calls them “renowned for their commitment to preserving and authentically presenting” this repertoire. Their work extends to screen music: the group has appeared in and contributed to Boardwalk Empire, The Aviator, The Cotton Club, Revolutionary Road and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and also appeared on the soundtrack for Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. A New York Times review described their sound as “an erupting sense of euphoria.”
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.