Sep
Sam’s HOT and SWEATY New York City Lullaby of Birdland!
► http://samharris.com/free
Sam takes a NYC train in the heat, and drags you through the not so fresh feeling subway.
We go backstage of Birdland with Todd Schroeder and Brooke Lundy, (also a Star Search victim!), singing backup.
Sam tells a dirty joke, and the obligatory laughs follow.
Live performance follows.
Sam is at BIRDLAND until 8/2.
TICKETS: http://birdlandjazz.com
FREE is on iTunes at http://SamTUNES.net
Songs from “Free” on MySpace!:
http://MySpace.com/SamHarrisMusic
TODD: http://myspace.com/toddschroeder
BROOKE: http://myspace.com/brookelundyband
Birdland History…
Ever since most of Chicago’s top musicians moved to New York in the mid-to-late 1920s, New York City has been the Jazz Mecca. Nearly every major jazz style of the past seventy years has been initiated in the Big Apple.
It was Charlie Parker, familiarly known to his fans and fellow musicians as “Bird,” a contraction of Yardbird, his formal nickname, who was the dynamic creative personality and genius of the alto saxophone who served as the inspiration for Birdland.
When the original Birdland opened fifty-eight years ago in December, 1949, Charlie Parker was the headliner and the club was located on Broadway, a few blocks west of 52nd Street, which was a hotbed of jazz in the 1930s and 40s.
Miraculously, just as the scene on 52nd Street caved in, Birdland was born and quickly came to prominence. For the next fifteen years, the club’s survival formula was built upon memorable double and triple bills, commencing at 9 p.m. and sometimes lasting ’til dawn. Click here to view memorabilia from the original Birdland.
In addition to Bird, many jazz legends were regulars at the club. Count Basie and his smokin’ big band made Birdland their New York headquarters, eventually recording George Shearing’s “Lullaby of Birdland” live at the club. John Coltrane’s classic Quartet regularly appeared at the club in the early 1960s, recording “Live at Birdland.” And the infamous Symphony Sid Torin made a name for himself broadcasting live from the club to radio listeners up and down the eastern seaboard.
In its first five years of existence, 1,400,000 paid the $1.50 admission to make their way either right to the cabaret section or left to the intense listening bullpen to hear Birdland’s attractions and sample its atmosphere. Given the artists on the bill, that comes as no surprise. Birdland’s booking history reads like a who’s who of jazz: Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bud Powell, Stan Getz, Lester Young, Erroll Garner, and many, many others.
Considering the excitement that Birdland generated on a daily basis, it’s no surprise that the club attracted its share of celebrities. Regulars to the nightly festivities included such household names as Gary Cooper, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Joe Louis, Marlene Dietrich, Ava Gardner, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Sugar Ray Robinson.
As Allan Morrison, the long-time editor of Ebony once put it, “Birdland was both a cultural vantage point and a barometer of trends where all the big names in jazz performed.”
But as a new popular music, Rock & Roll emerged, Birdland’s fortunes declined in the 60’s and its doorswere closed on Broadway and 52nd in 1965. After many 5 am nights, the club needed to take a nap.
Birdland awoke uptown in 1986 at 2745 Broadway, on the corner 105th Street. The uptown Birdland was triangular. The stage was in the narrow center, and as the triangle widened, there was a bar with small tables. No musicians would deny the unique acoustics this setup produced. In ten years, more than 2,000 emerging artists performed at the club. On many occasions, artists who performed at the original club on 52nd street graced the stage of the second version of Birdland as well.
Now, half a century later, the Birdland banner has been reborn in midtown and called, “close to perfection for serious fans and musicians,” by The New York Times. After a decade of neighborhood success on the Upper West Side, John decided to move the club back to Midtown. The new Birdland offers top-flight jazz in a world class setting, good sight lines and acoustics, elbow room, and a menu ripe with award winning Southern Cuisine.
Since the reemergence of the club, midtown Manhattan has been treated to some of the best jazz on the planet, including memorable sets by such musicians as Oscar Peterson, Pat Metheny, Diana Krall, Roy Haynes, Michel Legrand, Pat Martino, Tony Williams, Hank Jones, Michel Petrucciani, John Pizzarelli, John Scofield, Phoebe Snow, Dave Holland, and Tito Puente, as well as the big bands of Chico O’Farrill, Toshiko Akiyoshi, and Maria Schneider.
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Duration : 0:9:38
the next time you …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmthe next time you sing you should just show the winning video behind you. I love hearing it in a live show…it was great.
lol that joke is …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmlol that joke is funny
Sam………loving …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmSam………loving your voice and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR ALBUM AND WAR ON WAR is my favorite Thanks for sharing Watch out when you’re walking in the road my friend! Why not do vids on sidewalks or from inside places haha just kidding thanks for that performance apprecite it
I mentioned in a …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmI mentioned in a previous vlog that just being a FOR (Friend Of Rosie) might be enough to have them jerk him around. You notice they never mention her name and are probably fearful someone else might.
Subways sure …
Subways sure changed from the 60’s. The blinking lights in the cars with cane seats and ceiling fans. The unmistakable unique odors still remain in my mind. Anyone who rode them in the 60’s know exactly what I’m talking about. Ur’ne darn tooting.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmthat was great very …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmthat was great very awsome
Sam,
Simply still …
Sam,
Simply still AMAZING!!
Thanks for sharing!
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmPeace and Love,
Michael
Okay, okay, okay… …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmOkay, okay, okay… I’m going to schlep from Long Island to go see the show tonight.
GREAT Vlog – thanks …
GREAT Vlog – thanks to Michael for the Birdland footage – you and Brooke sounded amazing!
Were there any Vloggers in the audience that night? Would have been fun to see you filming a Vlog live – ha!
LOL at the “Where are my staff” line
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmlol, Sam hot and …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmlol, Sam hot and sweaty.
Sam, Thanks again …
Sam, Thanks again for showing us a part of your life, we really appreciate it so much. Loved the joke and your singing of course.
It’s hot here in Texas too, 103 to 107 degrees today with humidity making it feel like 105 to 112!!!!! We’re under an excessive heat warning.
I signed up to be in the choir for the BOK show in Tulsa. I hope that we get to meet you as well. Looking forward to singing with you anyway.
Take care and hugs & kisses to you, Danny and Cooper
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmi luv ur glasses! …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmi luv ur glasses! fantabulous as always!!!!
Humidity!!!! Good …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmHumidity!!!! Good for the skin but too sticky for me. Lived in Florida and couldn’t wear makeup the whole time I was there.,,it slid off!! lol. In Vegas now where we would LOVE to see you perform.(The Mandalay Bay?) Just dreaming!!Loved the video!! hugs for your precious lil baby boy Coop. Mari Ana
I think it should …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmI think it should be rainy this morning. Maybe that will cool it off for ya. I know it is here in Jersey.
I know that heat …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmI know that heat well and it’s murder! Thanks for this cool video that allows us to be there with you! It’s very fun. Keep these coming. Please. Peace!
OH WOW that sounded …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmOH WOW that sounded SO good!!!!!!!!!! xx
Oh, wow! You were …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmOh, wow! You were right across the street from where I work – The New Victory Theatre! Had I known you were there I’d have came out and kissed ya! Can’t wait for the CD…… Waiting patiently!
That is so cool. I …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmThat is so cool. I just visited NYC for the first time last month and it was really neat to be able to recognize exactly where you were! Hope to be back again soon! Can’t wait to see you in Tulsa for Christmas.
OMG!! You walked …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmOMG!! You walked right by my hotel (Hilton Times Square) when I was in the city a few weeks ago to see August: Osage County. Some friends of mine were in town this past week to see Gypsy…can’t wait to get back later this year…not sure what to see yet. Any ideas?
I LOVE New York! …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmI LOVE New York! Great Vlog!
Thanks for sharing …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmThanks for sharing your daily goings on with us ‘voyeurs’. Your life sure does look like a fun filled existence!! The song sounded excellent and Brook did a fantastic job too! Can I apply for the job of your PA??
Thanks!
Hey I know a star …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmHey I know a star in Hairspray that takes the subway! We take it all the time when we are there! At least there weren’t 2 feet big rats down there anymore! My husband doesn’t believe me that there were 20 years ago. I loved this version of WAR! amazing! I woulda spanked his butt for laying there… i think Chris woulda too. It was tempting! the joke was hilarious! Glad Danny is able to join you! I have watched the view for 2 wks waiting for you! what’s going on?? luv ya as usual! peace n love
Oh my gosh…You …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmOh my gosh…You both were fantastic!!! You make me soo happy!
Sam, With the major …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmSam, With the major republicans, Getty and Elizabeth on the View I would be shocked if they let you sing your powerful song. Thanks for sharing your N.Y. trip. Living vicariously thru you.
Very cool!!!! Hey …
September 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pmVery cool!!!! Hey, what happened to The View?
Do you have more info on this? I have been digging for this information for a long time. ——— You might think I’m nuts but I’m crazy over unique ceiling fans.
January 2nd, 2010 at 11:32 am