Birdland (jazz club)
The Birdland, also called The Jazz Corner of the World, was a jazz club was established in 1949 on Broadway in New York. Was named the club after jazz saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker. Although the Birdland initially was among the most popular clubs of New York, it closed its doors in 1965.
History
The original Birdland (1949-1965)
The Birdland in 1949 by Morris Levy and Levy opened Erving (later it was directed by Oscar Goodstein ). Co-founder was the jazz Entrepreneur Monte Kay, the owner of the New York jazz clubs Royal Roost. The Birdland was in 1678 Broadway between 52nd - also The Street of Jazz or simply called The Street - and 53rd Street (although closer attributed to the 53rd mostly the 52 ), this situation gave the club the nickname The Jazz Corner of the World. His actual name from the Birdland jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker, who was also called Yardbird or Bird shortly.
The glamorous opening of Birdland on December 15, 1949 was announced as All-American Jazz Festival and offered jazz from Dixieland to bebop. It played alongside Parker and Lester Young, Stan Getz, Harry Belafonte, Hot Lips Page, just to name a few. As a result, stood beside Parker but also other musicians of distinction on, including Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. For the first time were here installed in the rear part of the auditorium behind a glass pane control Studios, from which the performances were broadcast live as radio shows. For 400 -seat auditorium led finished stair carpets. In the initial phase were hanging on the ceiling at least 20 bird cages with real finches, the "Bird" Birdland. In the 1950s, the Birdland among others, the New York headquarters of the Count Basie band was. During the first five years of the Birdland about 1.4 million visitors had (at a ticket price of $ 1.50 ). Regular guests at Birdland were the actor Gary Cooper, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Ava Gardner and Sammy Davis Jr. and the boxer Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson.
Hallmark of Birdland was the title Lullaby of Birdland by George Shearing in 1952, originally served as a theme song. The title evolved over time to the jazz standard by a variety of musicians - was interpreted - provided in a vocal version with lyrics by George David Weiss.
Shows from the Birdland were partially broadcast live on the radio, such as the shows by Miles Davis on June 2, 1951 in which Davis with "side men" such as Charles Mingus, JJ Johnson and Art Blakey occurred. Popular were the transmissions of the radio DJ Symphony Sid Torin. As well as the Village Vanguard - - In addition, the Birdland was used for the production of live recordings. Hallmark of many recordings is the distinctive voice of the announcer's house Pee Wee Marquette. Pee Wee Marquette's famous announcement of 21 February 1954 to hear a sample of the song " Cantaloop " by the British formation Us3.
In addition to the Birdland existed 12 other major jazz clubs of this kind, such as the Vanguard. While the Vanguard until today continues to exist, they lost at Birdland with the beginning of the 1960s, the interest, and in 1965 had the now legendary Birdland due to increased rents close. Under the last owner Lloyd Price there rock and rhythm and blues was mostly played. Today is located in the building a " Gentlemen's Club".
The new Birdland (since 1986)
In 1986, in the 106th Street a new Birdland, opened in the tradition of the original clubs, the club now finds itself in a new building in 44th Street.