Bird Lives! A Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club Brings Two Saxophone Masters Together for an Evening of Jazz
FashionsDigest Experience
On Friday the 28th, I attended a dinner show at New York City’s legendary Smoke Jazz Club for Bird Lives! A Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration, honoring the bebop pioneer with performances by alto saxophonist Vincent Herring, whose smooth, passionate playing is both soulful and expressive, and tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, whose warm, resonant tone and energetic hard-bop approach brought a powerful presence to the performance. The quintet also featured pianist Mike LeDonne, bassist John Webber, and drummer Carl Allen. Together, they supplied a flexible hard-bop foundation. LeDonne answered the horns with bright, agile lines, while Webber grounded the harmony and Allen kept the music moving with crisp accents, elastic time, and an unmistakable swing.
We started the night with The Smoky Dark & delicious Glenmorangie Gold Standard, made from premium 12-year-aged Glenmorangie single malt scotch, honey, and fresh lemon. We enjoyed the fresh, tender, flavorful Fish and Chips, followed by a rich Ragout blanketed in a decadent, earthy mushroom sauce. We finished with their savory New York Cheesecake, the perfect finale to the meal.
The Story Behind The Show
Born on August 29, 1920, Charlie Parker transformed jazz through his revolutionary approach to improvisation and composition. Herring and Alexander honored that legacy through a spirited musical exchange rooted in the tradition of the “saxophone battle format”, Parker knew well. Their longtime partnership combines technical command, intensity, and deep musical rapport.
The Story Behind Smoke Jazz Club
Since opening on April 9, 1999, Smoke Jazz Club has become one of New York City’s most respected jazz clubs. Co-owners Paul Stache and Molly Sparrow Johnson have built the Upper Manhattan venue into an intimate home for established artists and emerging talent. Its stage has welcomed musicians including Wynton Marsalis, Ron Carter, George Coleman, Benny Golson, Hank Jones, Christian McBride, Brad Mehldau, Chris Potter, Cedar Walton, and many others.
Smoke’s programming brings together acclaimed veterans and distinctive contemporary voices, preserving the music’s rich tradition while keeping it firmly connected to the present. In the club’s intimate setting, the proximity between musicians and audience creates an atmosphere where every phrase, rhythm, and exchange can be felt with immediacy, and it has earned a reputation for presenting accessible, timeless jazz. The programming brings together legendary performers, contemporary masters, and rising stars. The intimate, candlelit dining room, exceptional acoustics, and classic American cuisine create an inviting setting where the music remains the centerpiece. SMOKE also boasts a GRAMMY-nominated label, Smoke Sessions Records, and a celebrated streaming concert series, Smoke Screens.
Open Wednesday-Sunday (subject to change). Sets at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., with an additional set at 10:00 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays only. Doors open at 4:p.m. Lounge open 4:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. Music charge: $25-$60. Livestream: $15.
Smoke Jazz Club
2751 Broadway, New York, NY, 10028
212.864.6662:
