Referenced everywhere from Sesame Street to Kerouac’s, On The Road, Birdland has been a jazz stronghold in Manhattan since the ‘50s, when Charlie “Bird” Parker headlined and guests like Marilyn Monroe and Gary Cooper were often in the audience. There’s no better timer to pay a visit than Friday night, when the legendary Birdland Big Band performs, these days under the direction of Tommy Igoe.

[Image via Tommyigoe.com]