Steve Smith & Vital Information
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Venue: Birdland Theater, 315 West 44th Street
Price: $35.46-45.76
Category: Jazz
Drummer Steve Smith has been touring and recording with his jazz group Vital Information since 1983. Smith is one of Modern Drummer Readers Polls Top 25 Drummers of All Time, the former drummer for the iconic rock band Journey, and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. The groups newest incarnation features virtuoso musicians Manuel Valera on keyboards and Janek Gwizdala on bass. Their 2025 release, New Perspective, features songs that Smith has previously recorded but with arrangements that are vastly different from the original recordings, including three songs by Journey (Open Arms, Whos Crying Now, Dont Stop Believin) one from Steps Ahead (Sumo by Michael Brecker) three from Vital Info (The Perfect Date, Charukeshi Express, Eight+Five) plus two new original compositions. Rooted in the straight-ahead swing of bebop, the group explores exotic time-signatures from the world of South Indian Carnatic music and they have arranged adventurous funk-driven renditions of jazz standards. Steve Smith frequently appears at Birdland with various all-star groups. Dont miss this chance to see Smith perform with his own band and experience their high-level musicianship and collective virtuosic improvisation. CLICK HERE to listen to a tune from the groups latest release, New Perspective!
About This Event
Live music lovers, this one is for you. Steve Smith & Vital Information takes the stage at Birdland Theater on Friday, September 4. Whether you are a longtime fan or discovering them for the first time, this is the kind of live music moment that makes NYC the music capital of the world. Tickets start at $35.46-45.76, and tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Drummer Steve Smith has been touring and recording with his jazz group Vital Information since 1983. Smith is one of Modern Drummer Readers Polls Top 25 Drummers of All Time, the former drummer for the iconic rock band Journey, and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. The groups newest incarnation features virtuoso musicians Manuel Valera on keyboards and Janek Gwizdala on bass. Their 2025 release, New Perspective, features songs that Smith has previously recorded but with arrangements that are vastly different from the original recordings, including three songs by Journey (Open Arms, Whos Crying Now, Dont Stop Believin) one from Steps Ahead (Sumo by Michael Brecker) three from Vital Info (The Perfect Date, Charukeshi Express, Eight+Five) plus two new original compositions. Rooted in the straight-ahead swing of bebop, the group explores exotic time-signatures from the world of South Indian Carnatic music and they have arranged adventurous funk-driven renditions of jazz standards. Steve Smith frequently appears at Birdland with various all-star groups. Dont miss this chance to see Smith perform with his own band and experience their high-level musicianship and collective virtuosic improvisation. CLICK HERE to listen to a tune from the groups latest release, New Perspective!. Planning to make a night of it? Hotels near Birdland Theater fill up fast — especially on weekends. Book early to get the best rates within walking distance of the venue.