This Labor Day: Catch Red Nichols and Cliff Edwards a.k.a Ukulele Ike (Sorta)

Labor Day 2025 falls unconscionably early this year (September 1), but there is an excellent way that you can spend the evening if you’re in New York. You can let some highly skilled entertainers work for you! There is a much publicized tribute show to Red Nichols, Cliff Edwards (a.k.a. Ukulele Ike), and the Hot Combination happening at Birdland. Behind this necromantic musical miracle are antimodernist cornet man Mike Davis and ukulele troubadour Bryce Edwards (I don’t know if he’s related to Cliff), in conjunction with a crack team of early jazz scientists, including Ricky Alexander on alto sax, Josh Holcomb on trombone, Dalton Ridenhour on piano, Jay Rattman on bass sax, Félix Lemerle on guitar, and Colin Hancock on drums.

It’s all happening at Birdland. Tickets and more info here.