Jim Caruso's Cast Party with Billy Stritch
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Jim Caruso hosts Cast Party at Birdland, joined by Billy Stritch on piano, Steve Doyle on bass, and Daniel Glass on drums. Running every Monday at Birdland since 1993, the night is built as an impromptu variety show: established Broadway performers and newer voices may step up to sing, and audience members can also take a turn at the grand piano. The house trio backs the performers while Caruso steers the proceedings.
Cast Party has been a weekly Birdland fixture for more than three decades, bringing Broadway-oriented entertainment to the club’s stage alongside its jazz programming. Caruso is the host of the evening, with Stritch, Doyle, and Glass providing the piano, bass, and drums accompaniment that makes its changing cast possible. Rather than presenting a fixed bill or a single artist’s repertoire, the format leaves room for surprise guests, first-time performers, and spontaneous turns from the room, with the music shaped in the moment by the trio.
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.