There is this saying that goes something like: “You’ve got to know where you’ve been to know where you are going.” If there is even a smudge of truth in that, the future is very bright for the regular guests of Birdland jazz club. Ever since the December of 1949, great names, amazing talent and world-class musicians have performed at the club. Birdland has been a permanent staple of New York’s jazz scene and one of the most renowned jazz clubs in the country.

Six Decades of Making History

Even when the venues changed, the spirit of the club and the late great Charlie Parker, the original Bird, remained the same. His genius and dedication live through the thousands of extraordinary musicians who performed at Birdland, as well as those who continue to do so today. Since the early days, the clubs success was built on double and triple bills, starting as early as 9 p.m. and lasting throughout the night. A quick look at the calendar shows that this formula hasn’t changed and that even today, Birdland accommodates its guests by booking a mix of world-renowned jazz musicians and up-and-coming talent.

Discovering the Next Genius

Many exceptional musicians performed in New York even before they became household names, and Birdland plays a significant part in careers of those musicians. This is perhaps the true charm of jazz music and establishments like Birdland. Simply put, jazz is a living organism, and it’s the clubs and live performances that the audiences appreciate. It’s the multiple shows a night; it’s a booked-out venue, it’s dinner and a jazz show. Those things are the true soul of jazz, and those are still alive at Birdland where at any moment, a great performance is taking place. Who’s to say that one of them is not the next Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Bud Powell, Miles Davis, and Dizzy Gillespie? All of those legends were once a performer on the Birdland calendar.

Iconic Experience

Live jazz performances at the Birdland are simply something a true jazz lover has to experience. Our calendar is always packed full of excellent musicians. Visit us and become a permanent part of the historic jazz culture of New York City.