Karen Akers News

The American Songbook Association has a new award named after its founder, and they will give it to Eric Michael Gillett, who has earned it.

Ann Kittredge will return to The Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street – between 9th & 10th Avenues) on Sunday, October 23rd at 7pm with her Musical Director Christopher Denny (piano), Sean Harkness (guitar), Mary Ann McSweeney (bass), Rex Benincasa(drums) and special guests Robbie Kondor and Steve Ross.

On Monday, September 19, pianist/singer Billy Stritch and award-winning jazz vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli combined their considerable talents for an evening of great music celebrating the legendary Mel Tormé and Ella Fitzgerald.

On Monday, September 12, singer/actress Karen Akers returned to Birdland with “Water Under The Bridge,” which was musical directed by Alex Rybeck, with Tom Hubbard on bass. Check out photos here!

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present a special musical evening with three great musical talents Victoria Shaw, Jim Brickman, and Peter Cincotti, in “Three Friends, One Piano” on Monday, October 10 at 7:00 PM.

It's back! -- three extraordinary nights of “live” songs, entertainers, and musicians – all in celebration of the 33rd annual New York Cabaret Convention, produced by The Mabel Mercer Foundation. 

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present Julie Halston – the brilliant Tony Award-winning comedic actress – on Monday, October 17 at 7:00 PM. Ms. Halston returns to the Birdland stage – live and in person – after two-and-a-half years of global pandemic Zoom meetings and green screens.

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this September with a full slate of nightly performances!

BIRDLAND THEATER will present the return of Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf – the acclaimed cellist celebrating her recent album Music of Broadway for Cello and Piano – on Monday, September 19 at 8:30 PM.

Birdland Jazz Club will present a special evening with renowned pianist and singer Billy Stritch and award-winning jazz vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli on Monday, September 19 at 7:00 PM.

Returning to Birdland after the sold-out debut of this show in April, Akers once again takes a look back at some of the songs that first brought her attention in cabaret as well as on Broadway, television, and recordings: works by Craig Carnelia, Maury Yeston, Edith Piaf, and Stephen Sondheim, among other treasures.

Singer/actress Karen Mason returned to the Birdland stage with her newest show, 30…and Counting on Monday, August 8, and photographer Kevin Alvey was there to capture the excitement. Check out the photos here!

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present Bobby Conte – currently playing the role of PJ in the Broadway revival of Company – in his acclaimed solo concert “Along the Way” on Monday, August 15 at 7:00 PM.

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the return of Karen Mason – honoring her three-decade collaboration with music director Christopher Denny in the new show “30… And Counting” – on Monday, August 8 at 7:00 PM.

Back by popular demand! Bistro, BroadwayWorld, MAC, and Margaret Whiting Award winner Celia Berk returns to the Laurie Beechman Theatre in October to reprise On My Way To You: Improbable Stories That Inspired An Unlikely Path.

Olivier winner and Tony nominee Tracie Bennett (Hangmen, End of the Rainbow) and Laiona Michelle (Little Girl Blue, Amazing Grace) have joined the line-up for the 10th annual “Night Of A Thousand Judys.'

Tony nominee Sally Mayes, Bistro winner Nicolas King, Shereen Pimentel, and Bistro winner Amy Jo Jackson (Joe’s Pub) have joined the line-up for the 10th annual “Night Of A Thousand Judys” – the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center written and hosted by Justin Elizabeth Sayre – at Joe’s Pub on Sunday, June 5.

It's today! Award-winning vocalist Ann Kittredge's debut recording reIMAGINE, a specially curated collection of songs uniquely re-imagined and produced by award-winning songwriter and record producer Paul Rolnick, is available on all digital platforms as of today, May 16, 2022.

American Songbook Association recently hosted the Third Annual Gala to honor Stephen Schwartz on Monday, May 9 at 7:30 PM. Schwartz - the Oscar, Grammy and Tony-winning composer and lyricist of Wicked, Pippin, Godspell and more - received the 2022 ASA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ken Page made his return to New York and 54 Below and the people who weren't there will, forever, regret having missed it.