Midday Jazz Featuring the Billy Stritch Trio
About this Event
There is a suggested donation of $10 for this event
This month we are featuring...
Billy Stritch (piano)
Special Guests
About Billy Stritch
Billy Stritch is an award-winning composer, arranger, vocalist, and jazz pianist celebrated for his extraordinary range, sophisticated style, and deep connection to the Great American Songbook. With a career spanning more than four decades, he has established himself as one of the premier musical talents of his generation—equally at home performing in concert halls, jazz clubs, or Broadway theaters.
Born and raised in Sugar Land, Texas, Stritch began playing piano at age 12, quickly displaying a natural gift for jazz improvisation and arranging. His career took shape in Houston, where he formed the vocal group Montgomery, Plant & Stritch, The trio performed in iconic cabaret and concert venues worldwide, culminating is their appearance at the 1988 Newport Jazz Festival and as opening act for Mel Tormé at Carnegie Hall in the same year. That early recognition launched him toward a lifetime of music-making at the highest level.
Stritch’s artistry has been in demand by some of the most legendary performers of our time. He was the longtime pianist and musical director for Liza Minnelli, touring with her internationally and helping craft many of her acclaimed concerts. He has also collaborated with Tony Bennett, Christine Ebersole, Linda Lavin, Marilyn Maye, and Linda Eder, among many others, both on stage and in the recording studio. Billy is also the pianist and bandleader for Jim Caruso’s Cast Party, New York’s longest-running open-mic/variety show, held every Monday night at the iconic Birdland Jazz Club in midtown Manhattan.
As a solo artist, Stritch is known for his seamless blending of vocal warmth and pianistic virtuosity. His performances at iconic venues like Birdland, 54 Below, and the Café Carlyle showcase not only his mastery of the repertoire but also his engaging sense of humor and innate ability to connect with audiences. His discography includes Billy Stritch Sings Mel Tormé, a heartfelt tribute to one of his greatest influences, Waters of March: The Brazilian Album, Dreaming of a Song: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael with Klea Blackhurst, Sunday In New York with Christine Ebersole, and the holiday favorite Christmas at Birdland.
During the pandemic shutdown of 2020, Billy created Billy’s Place, a weekly livestream from his home that quickly became a lifeline for music lovers around the world. Each Thursday evening, he welcomed audiences into his living room for intimate performances that blended jazz standards, Broadway favorites, and stories from his remarkable career. What began as a way to stay connected during uncertain times blossomed into a virtual salon with a devoted following, earning rave reviews and extending Billy’s reach to listeners far beyond the cabaret stage. During that time he recorded a companion album to the livestream series entitled Billy’s Place.
Beyond performing, Stritch is an accomplished arranger and composer, and was co-writer of the 1994 Grammy award winning sing “Does He Love You," recorded by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis. Lightning struck again in 2022 when the song was recorded again by McEntire, this time with the legendary Dolly Parton. His original songs and inventive arrangements reveal a keen understanding of harmony and lyric, always infused with elegance and swing.
Whether playing solo, collaborating with legendary singers, or dazzling audiences in intimate cabaret rooms, Billy Stritch continues to keep the legacy of American popular song vibrantly alive—while adding his own indelible voice to its timeless story.
About Midday Jazz
Midday Jazz began in 1982 as Midday Jazz Midtown, during the early years of the new Saint Peter’s Church at Citicorp Center. The program grew out of the church’s expanding commitment to presenting jazz not only as part of its Jazz Ministry and Sunday Jazz Vespers, but also as a regular part of Midtown’s cultural life.
The series was programmed by Edmund Anderson, a close friend and collaborator of Duke Ellington who had retired from his professional career and become the first Executive Director of The Common (which then became The Midtown Arts Common).
Rather than being an evening club date, Midday Jazz brought professional jazz into the middle of the workday, serving the growing Midtown community of office workers, residents, visitors, and musicians.
Where is it happening?
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