# The Boss Baritones

> Inspired by the rich history of the great 2-tenor pairings in jazz… The Boss Baritones at Birdland Jazz Club & Theater in Uptown. Jan 3, 2027 · 1 date listed.

- Venue: [Birdland Jazz Club & Theater](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland.html.md)
- Address: 315 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036 ([Google Maps](https://goo.gl/maps/97ZmiXRjDWK2))
- Neighborhood: Uptown
- Status: Jan 3, 2027 · 1 date listed
- Section: [NYC Jazz Clubs](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/index.html.md)
- Web page: https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/the-boss-baritones.html
- Markdown: https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/the-boss-baritones.html.md
- Last updated: Nov 05, 2026 at 06:51 AM

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- Venue: Birdland Jazz Club
- Run: Jan 3, 2027
- Tickets and info: https://www.birdlandjazz.com/tm-event/the-boss-baritones/

Inspired by the rich history of the great 2-tenor pairings in jazz (think Lester Young & Herschel Evans, Gene Ammons & Sonny Stitt, Lockjaw Davis & Johnny Griffin, and Al Cohn & Zoot Sims), the Boss Baritones continue this tradition, but with the pairing of the tenor saxophone's lower pitched baritone brethren. So who are these "Boss Baritones?" Locking horns in the front line are two of today's finest exponents and practitioners of the baritone saxophone in jazz: Gary Smulyan and Frank Basile. Gary Smulyan has been steadily polishing his craft for over 40 years and is all but unanimously regarded as today's leading baritone saxophonist. Since filling the baritone chair in Woody Herman's Young Thundering Herd in 1978, Smulyan has gone on to perform with virtually every important name in jazz since. A sampling of this lofty company includes the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, the Gene Harris Superband, B.B. King, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Michel Camilo, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Cedar Walton, Joe Lovano, George Coleman, the Mingus Big Band, and Dave Holland. A favorite of critics and peers alike, Smulyan has consistently topped polls in Downbeat, Jazz Times, and with the Jazz Journalists Association for the past two decades. Smulyan is a 6-time Grammy winner. Frank Basile made his way on to the New York scene in 2001 after his studies at the University of North Texas and a brief stint at the Juilliard School. He has since forged his own path following in the footsteps of his mentors such as Smulyan. Dubbed a "prized sideman" by The New Yorker, Basile has been called upon to perform with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, the Jimmy Heath Big Band, the Bob Mintzer Big Band, the Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra, the Christian McBride Big Band, the Count Basie Orchestra, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. As a "rising star," Basile has consistently appeared in the Downbeat critic's poll since 2014. The Boss Baritones made their debut the weekend of March 6-7, 2020 at Smalls Jazz Club in New York City. This was an auspicious start for the band, but one week later, the Coronavirus pandemic would officially put it all on hold. Since the easing of restrictions and the return of normal aspects to life, the Boss Baritones have been regaining their momentum with performances in the New York City area (including numerous return engagements at Smalls) as well as an upcoming eponymous debut recording on Steeplechase Records.

Upcoming dates:

- Sun, Jan 03 at 05:30 PM — Birdland Jazz Club

## Also on at Birdland Jazz Club & Theater

- [The High Society New Orleans Jazz Band](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/the-high-society-new-orleans-jazz-band.html.md) — Thu Nov 5 at 5:30 PM and 19 more
- [Cyrille Aimée](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/cyrille-aimee.html.md) — Thu Nov 5 at 7 PM and 5 more
- [Birdland Big Band](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/birdland-big-band.html.md) — Fri Nov 6 at 5:30 PM and 10 more
- [Tatiana Eva Marie: Jazz in Paris](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/tatiana-eva-marie-jazz-in-paris.html.md) — Fri Nov 6 at 7 PM and 5 more
- [Ehud Asherie Trio](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/ehud-asherie-trio.html.md) — Sat Nov 7 at 5:30 PM and 3 more
- [Dave Pietro Quintet](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/dave-pietro-quintet.html.md) — Sun Nov 8 at 5:30 PM
- [The Birdland Latin Jazz Orchestra](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/the-birdland-latin-jazz-orchestra.html.md) — Sun Nov 8 at 8:30 PM and 20 more
- [Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/vince-giordano-and-the-nighthawks.html.md) — Mon Nov 9 at 5:30 PM and 47 more
- [Jeff Harnar – I KNOW THINGS NOW: My Life in Sondheim’s Words](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/jeff-harnar-i-know-things-now-my-life-in-sondheims-words.html.md) — Mon Nov 9 at 7 PM
- [Jim Caruso's Cast Party with Billy Stritch](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/jim-carusos-cast-party-with-billy-stritch.html.md) — Mon Nov 9 at 9:30 PM and 9 more
- [Tedd Firth Big Band](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/tedd-firth-big-band.html.md) — Mon Nov 9 at 9:30 PM
- [Houston Person Quintet: 92nd Birthday Celebration](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/houston-person-quintet-92nd-birthday-celebration.html.md) — Tue Nov 10 at 7 PM and 1 more
- [David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/david-ostwalds-louis-armstrong-eternity-band.html.md) — Wed Nov 11 at 5:30 PM and 11 more
- [Dee Dee Bridgewater](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/dee-dee-bridgewater.html.md) — Wed Nov 11 at 7 PM and 7 more
- [Frank Vignola's Guitar Night with Guest Hosts Jimmy Bruno and Ed Cherry](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/frank-vignolas-guitar-night-with-guest-hosts-jimmy-bruno.html.md) — Wed Nov 11 at 8:30 PM
- [Troy Roberts Quartet – A Tribute to Stanley Turrentine](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/troy-roberts-quartet-a-tribute-to-stanley-turrentine.html.md) — Fri Nov 13 at 7 PM and 3 more
- [Jason Marshall Quartet](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/jason-marshall-quartet.html.md) — Sun Nov 15 at 5:30 PM
- [JUNKO YAGAMI: Pop Meets Jazz on Route 66](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/junko-yagami-pop-meets-jazz-on-route-66.html.md) — Sun Nov 15 at 7 PM and 1 more
- [Frankie Moreno](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/frankie-moreno.html.md) — Mon Nov 16 at 7 PM
- [Maria Schneider Orchestra](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/maria-schneider-orchestra.html.md) — Tue Nov 17 at 7 PM and 9 more
- [Frank Vignola's Guitar Night with Bria Skonberg and Pasquale Grasso](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/frank-vignolas-guitar-night-with-bria-skonberg-and-pasquale.html.md) — Wed Nov 18 at 8:30 PM
- [Evan Palazzo & Friends](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/evan-palazzo-friends.html.md) — Fri Nov 20 at 7 PM and 5 more
- [Wayne Tucker and The Bad Mothas](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/wayne-tucker-and-the-bad-mothas.html.md) — Sun Nov 22 at 5:30 PM
- [Jamie deRoy & Friends](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/jamie-deroy-friends.html.md) — Mon Nov 23 at 7 PM
- [ANDERSON BROTHERS: THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/anderson-brothers-the-american-songbook.html.md) — Tue Nov 24 at 7 PM and 9 more
- [Frank Vignola's Guitar Night with Pasquale Grasso](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/frank-vignolas-guitar-night-with-pasquale-grasso.html.md) — Wed Nov 25 at 8:30 PM
- [Geoffrey Keezer Trio with Yasushi Nakamura and Billy Kilson](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/geoffrey-keezer-trio-with-yasushi-nakamura-and-billy-kilson.html.md) — Fri Nov 27 at 7 PM and 5 more
- [Joie Bianco Trio](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/joie-bianco-trio.html.md) — Sun Nov 29 at 5:30 PM
- [David Finck Quintet](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/david-finck-quintet.html.md) — Mon Nov 30 at 7 PM
- [Joe Lovano Nonet](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/joe-lovano-nonet.html.md) — Tue Dec 1 at 7 PM and 9 more
- [Frank Vignola's Guitar Night](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/frank-vignolas-guitar-night.html.md) — Wed Dec 2 at 8:30 PM and 6 more
- [Brandee Younger](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/brandee-younger.html.md) — Fri Dec 4 at 7 PM and 3 more
- [Quintin Harris Trio](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/quintin-harris-trio.html.md) — Sat Dec 5 at 5:30 PM
- [Vanessa Racci – Comfort & Joy Album Release](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/vanessa-racci-comfort-joy-album-release.html.md) — Sun Dec 6 at 5:30 PM
- [Laura Anglade](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/laura-anglade.html.md) — Sun Dec 6 at 7 PM and 1 more
- [Daniel Reichard: It’s a Birdland Christmas!](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/daniel-reichard-its-a-birdland-christmas.html.md) — Mon Dec 7 at 7 PM
- [Emmet Cohen Trio feat. Ron Carter](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/emmet-cohen-trio-feat-ron-carter.html.md) — Tue Dec 8 at 7 PM and 9 more
- [Bria Skonberg](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/bria-skonberg.html.md) — Fri Dec 11 at 7 PM and 5 more
- [Carole J. Bufford](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/carole-j-bufford.html.md) — Sat Dec 12 at 5:30 PM and 1 more
- [Summer Camargo Quintet](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/summer-camargo-quintet.html.md) — Sun Dec 13 at 5:30 PM
- [We Love the Winter Weather: Songs of the Season](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/we-love-the-winter-weather-songs-of-the-season.html.md) — Mon Dec 14 at 7 PM
- [Stacey Kent](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/stacey-kent.html.md) — Tue Dec 15 at 7 PM and 9 more
- [A Swinging Birdland Christmas](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/a-swinging-birdland-christmas.html.md) — Sun Dec 20 at 5:30 PM and 5 more
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- [Emma Smith Quartet](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/emma-smith-quartet.html.md) — Wed Dec 23 at 7 PM and 11 more
- [Champian Fulton Quartet](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/champian-fulton-quartet.html.md) — Sat Dec 26 at 5:30 PM and 2 more
- [HOLIDAY INTERLUDE WITH LIZ GILLIES](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/holiday-interlude-with-liz-gillies.html.md) — Mon Dec 28 at 7 PM
- [Birdland Big Band feat. Emma Smith](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/birdland-big-band-feat-emma-smith.html.md) — Tue Dec 29 at 5:30 PM and 11 more
- [Marilyn Maye](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/marilyn-maye.html.md) — Wed Dec 30 at 7 PM and 8 more
- [Birdland Big Band with Special Guest Emma Smith](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/birdland-big-band-with-special-guest-emma-smith.html.md) — Thu Dec 31 at 7 PM
- [Birdland Big Band New Year's Eve with Special Guest Emma Smith](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/birdland-big-band-new-years-eve-with-special-guest-emma.html.md) — Thu Dec 31 at 11 PM
- [Marilyn Maye's New Year's Eve Extravaganza](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/marilyn-mayes-new-years-eve-extravaganza.html.md) — Thu Dec 31 at 11 PM
- [Nicole Zuraitis](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/nicole-zuraitis.html.md) — Mon Jan 4 at 7 PM
- [Bill Charlap Quartet](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/bill-charlap-quartet.html.md) — Tue Jan 5 at 7 PM and 9 more
- [Bill Charlap Solo](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/bill-charlap-solo.html.md) — Sat Jan 9 at 5:30 PM
- [Mike Davis and the New Wonders](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/mike-davis-and-the-new-wonders.html.md) — Sun Jan 10 at 5:30 PM
- [The Greg Ruvolo Big Band Collective](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/the-greg-ruvolo-big-band-collective.html.md) — Tue Jan 12 at 7 PM and 1 more
- [Kurt Elling](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/kurt-elling.html.md) — Wed Jan 13 at 7 PM and 7 more
- [Kate Kortum](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/kate-kortum.html.md) — Fri Jan 15 at 7 PM and 1 more
- [Caity Gyorgy Quartet](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/caity-gyorgy-quartet.html.md) — Sat Jan 16 at 5:30 PM
- [Stella Cole](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/stella-cole.html.md) — Sun Jan 17 at 5:30 PM
- [Gabrielle Cavassa](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/gabrielle-cavassa.html.md) — Sun Jan 17 at 7 PM and 1 more
- [Ms. Lisa Fischer featuring Orrin Evans Trio](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/ms-lisa-fischer-featuring-orrin-evans-trio.html.md) — Tue Jan 19 at 7 PM and 9 more
- [Danny Tobias Quartet](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/danny-tobias-quartet.html.md) — Sat Jan 23 at 5:30 PM and 1 more
- [Benny Green Trio](https://bronder.nyc/jazz/clubs/birdland/benny-green-trio.html.md) — Tue Jan 26 at 7 PM and 9 more