Swing into the most wonderful time of the year with Jazz at Lincoln Center this December. Managing and artistic director, Wynton Marsalis, together with music director, Marcus Printup, present their annual Big Band Holidays concert at the Rose Theater at the Time Warner Center.
For five days, Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra will be spreading cheer for all ages with soulful, big band arrangements of holiday classics. Brand new songs will be added to their shows, which occur on these days:
- Wednesday, December 18 at 7 PM
- Thursday, December 19 at 8 PM
- Friday, December 20 at 8 PM
- Saturday, December 21 at 8 PM
- Sunday, December 22 at 2 PM
(Note: According to the JALC website, “the matinee show on Sunday, December 22 will be a Relaxed Performance. Relaxed Performances are designed to provide an opportunity for children or adults with autism, learning difficulties, or other sensory and communications needs to enjoy our performances with their families in a more relaxed environment. All audiences are welcome to join us for this performance.”)
The vocalists for this year’s performances are Denzal Sinclar, who Jazz at Lincoln Center describes as “smooth as silk baritone” and local teenage phenomenon Alexis Morssat, who won first place at Showtime at the Apollo. This will be her Big Band Holiday debut.
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This year’s Big Band Holidays series coincides with the release of the orchestra’s second holiday album.
Big Band Holidays II will feature a previously unreleased performance of the late Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, singing O Tannenbaum. She also sang this at a surprise Big Band Holidays performance back in 2015. Additional guest vocalists on the album include newcomers in the jazz scene such as Catherine Russell, Veronica Swift, Denzal Sinclaire, and Audrey Shakir. Other fun songs on the album include Cool Yule, Brazilian Sleigh Bells, Silent Night, and more. Big Band Holidays II is available to stream now and will be available in stores as a CD on November 15. It will also be available on a 2x LP audiophile vinyl later on.Whether you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit yourself, have nothing planned for date night, or have family or friends visiting the city, this authentic New York tradition is a holiday treat for all.
Have a yule that’s cool at Big Band Holidays. Check out their website for tickets.
