Birdland Big Band at Birdland Jazz Club

Every Friday, the Birdland Big Band (BBB) presents a mix of jazz, funk, Brazilian, Latin, and world music at Birdland Jazz Club. This 16-piece orchestra, led by saxophonist David DeJesus, emphasizes traditional swing and blues. Guest artists from television bands (David Letterman, Saturday Night Live) and pop touring bands (Rob Thomas, Rod Stewart) frequently join. Founded in 2006 by drummer Tommy Igoe, the band has been a regular Friday feature at Birdland since then.

The Birdland Big Band boasts a rich history, evolving from a big band directed by Lew Anderson. Under DeJesus's leadership since 2017, the band has added vocalist Veronica Swift and continues to deliver contemporary compositions and original arrangements. The band includes musicians like Chris Smith, Doug Weiss, Brandon Lee, and Ron Wilkins, along with Broadway pit musicians who use the early evening sessions as a warm-up for their later performances.