Charlie Parker acquired the nickname “Yardbird” early in his career and the shortened form “Bird” remained his brandname for the rest of his life, inspiring the titles of many of Parker’s compositions. It was him who in the end of 40’ inspired Morris & Irving Levy to open in a winter of 1949 the infamous jazz club Birdland. It was him who was the biggest attraction of the jazz filled nights in this club for years (until he was banned in the spot and the caged finches were put up to justify the name of it).

The contribution to popular culture can be found from numerous references made throughout the years by contemporary artists. Birdland was popular with many of the writers of the Beat generation. Reference to Birdland is made in Jack Kerouac’s novel On The Road, in 1993, Us3 released the single Cantaloop, which opens with the line: “Ladies and gentlemen, as you know, we have something special down here at Birdland this evening”, Pee Wee Marquette’s opening announcement from Art Blakey’s first Birdland album in 1954. It appeared on Us3 1993 album, Hand on the Torch, which was Blue Note’s first platinum-selling album. Weather Report released their most commercially successful hit entitled “Birdland” on the album Heavy Weather in 1977. The Manhattan Transfer recorded a cover version of the same song in 1979, with vocalese lyrics describing the club in its heyday. Sesame Street featured a night club called Birdland, run by Hoots the Owl, which was occupied by various birds.

That contribution to popular culture continues today and one can only assume, it will not waiver in the future. If you have never experienced a show at Birdland, you are depriving yourself of a distinct cultural experience in jazz. But say no more, StubDog is here to save the day by serving up sweet jazz at a more than comfortable price. Upcoming shows include:

The John Surman Quartet, ECM Records CD Release Celebration
Born in Tavistock, Devon in 1944, composer/multi-instrumentalist John Surman is one of the key figures in a generation of European musicians who have crucially expanded the international horizons of jazz during the past thirty years.

Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trio, Blue Note Records CD Release Celebration
Pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba’s playing combines advanced musical concepts and formidable technique with emotional immediacy and hypnotizing grooves. Born in Havana, Rubalcaba grew up surrounded by Cuban musical heritage; his father was a pianist whose home was a gathering place for prominent Cuban musicians.

James Carter Group
Detroit-born tenor saxophonist James Carter took New York by storm in 1988 as a teenage sensation. He established himself as one of the leading saxophone stylists of his generation, well versed in everything from gypsy-jazz to funk.

Clifton Anderson Quintet
Clifton Anderson has been on a lifelong journey of artistic evolution. From his start as a child surrounded by a musical family, to formal education mixed with the practical experience of live gigs, Clifton’s odyssey is ever-unfolding.

These are just a few of the upcoming shows on offer. Sign up to our newsletter to stay abreast of offerings