Birdland was a famous New York City jazz club that operated from 1949 to 1965. At its peak in the 1950s, Birdland was one of the most popular jazz venues in the world and helped establish the careers of many jazz legends. So does this iconic club still exist today?
The Original Birdland
The original Birdland opened in December 1949 at 1678 Broadway in New York City. It was owned by Morris Levy and named after famous jazz saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker. Levy hired Parker along with other top musicians like Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Art Blakey to play long residencies at the club. This allowed the musicians to have steady work and build a loyal fan base. By the mid-1950s, Birdland was thriving and became known as the “Jazz Corner of the World.”
Some of the great live albums recorded at the original Birdland include:
- A Night at Birdland Vol.1 – Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers (1954)
- At Birdland – Miles Davis Quintet (1956)
- John Coltrane at Birdland – John Coltrane (1963)
In addition to the music, Birdland became known for its eccentricities like a caged bullfinch bird that sang during intermissions. There were also strict rules posted on the walls like “No talking during performances” and “No dancing allowed.”
The Original Birdland Closes
By the early 1960s, jazz had fallen out of mainstream popularity as rock music rose. This led to financial struggles at Birdland and other jazz venues. After a tax evasion conviction, owner Morris Levy was forced to shut down the original Birdland in 1965.
For the next several decades, the Birdland name stayed dormant. There were periodic attempts to revive the club by reopening at new locations, but none succeeded in matching the vibe or notability of the original.
Birdland Jazz Club Today
In 1986, there was an attempt to recreate the magic of the original Birdland when a new jazz club opened with the same name at 2745 Broadway. While lacking the grit and charm of the first Birdland, this incarnation featured top talent and became a respected jazz venue in its own right. After changing locations a couple times over the years, Birdland Jazz Club today exists at 315 West 44th Street in midtown Manhattan.
So in summary – yes, a jazz club called Birdland still exists in New York City today. However, it is not the original iconic Birdland that closed in 1965. That original club shuttered after 16 years in business and was never reopened. The current Birdland Jazz Club revived the name but is located at a different address and lacks the rich history of its predecessor.
Notable Musicians Who Have Played at Birdland Jazz Club
Here are some of the notable jazz musicians who have performed at Birdland over the decades:
Decade | Notable Musicians at Birdland |
---|---|
1950s | Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey |
1960s | Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus |
1970s | Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson |
1980s | Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, McCoy Tyner |
1990s | Joe Lovano, Diana Krall, Joshua Redman |
2000s | Kurt Elling, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker |
As the table illustrates, Birdland has showcased an incredible array of jazz talent over many decades. Everyone from historic figures like Coltrane and Mingus to today’s rising stars have graced the Birdland stage.
Unique Features of Birdland Jazz Club
Here are some of the unique features that set Birdland Jazz Club apart:
- Intimate Venue – With a capacity of just 350 seats, Birdland offers an intimate, close-up jazz experience.
- Themed Shows – There are regular themed shows like Afro-Cuban jazz on Sundays and Bossas Nova on Saturdays.
- Table Seating – Unlike most clubs, Birdland has table seating near the stage rather than standing room, so patrons can enjoy drinks and food.
- Top Talent – Birdland continues to attract world-class jazz musicians across all styles of jazz.
- Recording Shows – Many live albums are still recorded at Birdland, capturing special performances.
These distinctive features help Birdland offer a one-of-a-kind jazz experience in New York City.
Past vs. Present Birdland
While the current Birdland Jazz Club has succeeded in keeping jazz alive in NYC, there are still notable differences between it and the original historic nightclub:
Original Birdland (1949-1965) | Current Birdland (1986-Present) |
---|---|
Located at 1678 Broadway | Now located at 315 West 44th Street |
Founded by Morris Levy | Currently owned by the Rosen family |
Charlie Parker was a regular performer | Tends to feature newer generations of talent |
Had a grittier, edgier vibe | More of an upscale, classy vibe currently |
Stricter rules like no talking or dancing | More relaxed rules today |
In summary, while the current Birdland keeps the jazz tradition alive, the original club maintains a legendary status and nostalgia that the new locale cannot replicate.
The Legacy of Birdland
Although the original Birdland closed over 50 years ago, its legacy and impact on jazz remain powerful. Here are some of the key ways Birdland influenced jazz history:
- Birdland was the first club to build its name around headlining acts, setting a model used by future venues.
- It was the first integrated jazz club, welcoming talent of all races during segregation.
- The club launched the careers of artists who went on to reshape jazz, like Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
- Live albums recorded there became canonical works, such as A Night at Birdland by Art Blakey.
- Birdland set a standard for classy, sophisticated jazz venues that others aimed to emulate.
- Although closed for decades, the name still carries prestige that newer clubs lean on.
For these reasons, the original Birdland is revered as one of the most important venues in jazz history, leaving behind a legacy still felt today.
Conclusion
In summary, the iconic original Birdland jazz club shut down in 1965 after a 16-year run. Attempts were made to revive the brand in later decades at new locations. The current Birdland Jazz Club opened in 1986 and continues to operate today on West 44th Street, serving as an excellent modern jazz venue. However, it lacks the irreplaceable ambiance and backstory of the first Birdland on Broadway where jazz legends like Parker and Coltrane played. The original club remains a crucial part of jazz lore, even as its name lives on in modified form. So while a Birdland jazz club exists today, much has been lost from its heyday era, leaving the current club more as an homage to the past than a perfect preservation.