Get ready to laissez les bons temps rouler as Julie Benko marches her band out at Birdland once again. Her critically acclaimed annual Mardi Gras blowout returns—and this time, it’s an album release party! The jubilant celebration of New Orleans jazz features Julie’s sizzling hot band Euphonic Gumbo, including Jason Yeager (piano, arrangements), Linus Wyrsch (reeds), AndyWarren (trumpet), Ron Wilkins (trombone), Michael O’Brien (bass), Jay Sawyer(drums), and special guest John Manzari (tap dance). Join the parade—nobody, no, nobody’s going to rain on this one! Julie Benko joined the annals of theatrical lore for her sensational understudy-to-star trajectory as Fanny Brice in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl. Between her tenure as the standby, alternate, and full-time Fanny, she played the role over 180 times and received numerous accolades for her interpretation, including Theatre World’s Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theatre. She was also named the 2022 “Breakout Star for Theater” by The New York Times and one of “10 Broadway Stars to Watch for 2023” by Variety, honored as one of “40 Under 40” for Crain’s New York Business, hailed by CBS Morning as “Broadway’s breakout star,” and profiled in numerous national media outlets such as The New York Times and Time. Following Funny Girl, she returned to Broadway to originate the role of Ruth in Barry Manilow’s long-gestating musical Harmony. Benko has released 3 studio albums, including Hand in Hand (Club 44 Records), a duo effort with her pianist-composer spouse Jason Yeager that won the Broadway World Cabaret Award for “Best Commercial Album” and received a MAC Award nomination for “Best Major Album," as well as Christmas With You (Club 44 Records) and Introducing Julie Benko. She has played leading roles in many Off-Broadway and regional productions, will make her silver screen debut in the upcoming film "Caravan," and enjoys a vibrant concert career, having headlined sold-out solo shows at venues around the country and performing as a guest artist with numerous symphonies. Visit her website, www.JulieBenko.com, or follow her on TikTok or Instagram @Jujujuliebee to discover more!