Birdland took its name from Charlie Parker, and this run puts his music back in the room that carries his nickname. David DeJesus leads a Boptet through the Parker book at the tempos it was written for, two sets a night across three nights. If you are chasing bebop this weekend and want it in a club rather than a park, start where the name came from.
What to expect
Birdland seats you at tables facing a wide stage with a full bar behind and waiters working the room. The Boptet plays hard bebop with tight unison heads and long solo sequences, and the later set usually draws the looser, more committed crowd. Service runs throughout, so order before the first tune starts.
Good to know
- Take the A, C, E to 42nd St-Port Authority; Birdland is on West 44th Street just west of Eighth Avenue
- Book ahead for the earlier set if you want a table near the stage
- Best for bebop listeners and anyone doing a Charlie Parker weekend around the city
- The club is a short walk from most Broadway houses if you are pairing it with a show
- Street-level entry makes this one of the more accessible jazz rooms in Midtown
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Common questions
Why does this show connect to Charlie Parker?
Birdland is named for Parker, whose nickname was Bird, and the Boptet's programme is drawn from his repertoire.
What are the set times?
7pm and 9:30pm on each of the three nights.
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