Birdland Jazz is Set to Wake Up Westchester

[Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 7/29/25 to update the lineup once several additional Birdland Jazz at Emelin concerts were announced. -MAF]

Westchester can get ready for a fresh jazz series at the Emelin Theatre. On July 18, the theater officially launches its new partnership with Birdland Jazz, a prominent New York City jazz club established in 1949. The inaugural concert features the Grammy Award-nominated duo of vocalist Catherine Russell and pianist Sean Mason.

Says Emelin’s executive director, David Bander: “We are excited to embark on this partnership and to be collaborating with one of the biggest internationally known names in jazz.” He adds that the Mamaroneck performing arts venue looks forward to presenting “programs that are sophisticated, refined and accessible.”

In fact, making the arts accessible to all is one of the Emelin’s primary missions. By partnering with Birdland, the Emelin hopes to reach not only seasoned jazz fans but also attract people who may not know much at all about jazz. Bander explains: “In everything we do, we want our audiences to know that ‘you are welcome here’.”

The partnership came about when Birdland Jazz contacted Bander about promoting its own artist roster. Bander had already noticed a change in the demographic of patrons who had attended recent jazz concerts at the Emelin. Audiences were more cross-generational. Younger people were becoming interested in specific jazz artists through social media, television and movie music scoring, and via vinyl. But interest in a specific artist did not necessarily translate into knowing what other jazz programming a patron might or might not like.

In discussions with Birdland, Bander realized that “a partnership would be just the thing to build trust with audiences that jazz at the Emelin has quality built in.” The Emelin will now be presenting exclusive jazz events in collaboration with Birdland, a first for a regional arts organization, and one that Bander hopes will become a model for how regional venues can work together with iconic institutions for the benefit of audiences and artists. “I want people to walk away from a jazz concert here saying, ‘Can you believe I saw Catherine Russell and Sean Mason right here in Mamaroneck?’”

Bander believes that the Emelin offers audiences a very special way to enjoy jazz. At 264 seats, the theater is small enough to give audiences an intimate relationship with world-class artists who might otherwise only be seen in large, impersonal venues. “It’s a perfect theater for duos, trios and smaller groups. Our furthest seat is only 45 feet from the stage.” Bander also notes that the theater is “different from a club, but still close enough to ensure that jazz programming in a theater is a great experience.”

The July 18 concert with Russell and Mason kicks things off. Catherine Russell is a veteran vocalist known for her deep dive into the jazz repertoire, where she unearths bluesy songs that are clever, amusing and just a tad naughty. Sean Mason is an up-and-coming young pianist with a clear affinity for Russell and her repertoire. Although their 2024 album My Ideal was their first recording collaboration, it garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Vocal Jazz Album.

Going forward, the Emelin will present two fall and two spring concerts in collaboration with Birdland.

Bander is confident that, with its new partnership arrangement, the Emelin will become a go-to destination for jazz in Westchester and beyond because, “[our] patrons will know they are going to see something they will love.”

[Update 7/28/25]:

On the heels of its sold-out inaugural concert, Birdland Jazz at Emelin will continue its 2025-6 season with three new jazz events.

On Saturday, October 4, celebrated vocalist Hilary Kole and the Birdland Big Band will perform a tribute to the First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald. Kole, who has performed with jazz greats such as Oscar Peterson and Quincy Jones, is well known to Emelin audiences, having sold out her previous concert at the theater.

Next up is the John Pizzarelli Trio on Saturday, February 7. Pizzarelli, a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and second-generation jazz musician, brings a deep knowledge of the repertoire and a charming sense of humor to his virtuoso guitar playing and swinging vocals.

Anne Hampton Callaway rounds out the series on Friday, April 24. Known for writing clever and amusing songs (such as theme song for the TV show “The Nanny”), Callaway brings a powerhouse presence to both her own tunes and her interpretations of the Great American Songbook.

The Emelin offers a series subscription, with a 10% discount on tickets for two events or 15% on tickets for all three events.