Before our weekly rundown of the great holiday-themed jazz we’re aware of in Columbus this week, there is news of an emerging vocalist playing in an excellent trio at a dependable weekly source of fine dining and exquisite live music. Vocalist Stella Stevenson will be joined by pianist Erik Augis and bassist Andy Woodson at Barcelona on Sunday, December 16th at 6pm. Stevenson has immersed herself in the recordings of legends such as Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Rosemary Clooney, and brings some of those classic touches to the bandstand. For Sunday’s concert, the trio will play “jazz standards (many from the Great American Songbook), some Latin Jazz and some Holiday tunes.” Check out Stevenson’s website to hear and learn more, and visit the Barcelona website for reservations.
Holiday Jazz Guide
The lineup for Friday, December 14th boasts two fun opportunities for seasonal nightlife. Smooth jazz band E-Flat will supply the groove to the Greek Night Toy Drive at Spectators Sports Grill and Lounge in Canal Winchester at 8pm (more details here). Later at 10pm, all-star powerhouse Phil Clark and the SOUL brings a rockin’, soulful setlist with their Holiday Soul show at Natalie’s (tickets and details here).
On Saturday, December 15th, the mighty Urban Jazz Coalition will play the first of their three Holiday Services this weekend at Heritage Christian Church in Westerville at 5:30pm – they return for Sunday morning services at 9am and 11am. At 6pm Saturday, Lancaster’s Nostalgics Big Band performs their Annual Christmas Dinner & Dance at the Olivedale Senior Citizens Center in Lancaster – Admission is $5. And at 9:30pm, The Velvet Sirens continue their monthly residency at Club Diversity by infusing holiday classics into their “cabaret and torch flambe” (more info here).
Sunday, December 16th: Evergreen Columbus outfit the Dave DeWitt Trio, this time with Jeff Ciampa on bass, plays a free Holiday Show at Wolf’s Ridge Taproom (Downtown) at 3pm (more info here). And at 6pm, venture north to Olentangy Berlin High School in the Delaware area for “A Swinging Silent Night” featuring the North Columbus Big Band and talented students on “spirited arrangements from Armstrong to Buble.” Donations will benefit the school’s performing arts programs, call 614-429-8434 for more info.
While tickets have sold out for all three performances of the annual Mad Mad Men Swingin’ Holiday Show at McConnell Arts Center, they are offering a Holiday Happy Hour featuring vocalist Liz Woolley before each concert with no ticket required. See her perform Wednesday, December 19th through Friday the 21st, at 6:30pm each night (more info here).
On Thursday, December 20th at 7:30pm, the Rick Brunetto Big Band plays its Annual Christmas Show at the 94th Aero Squadron. The band will present all three of its vocalists – Tia Harris, Michael Phillips and Jeremy Lahman – on beautiful arrangements delivered by the high-powered band (more info here). Later at 10pm, a more low-key tradition gets underway – multi-instrumentalist Derek DiCenzo’s Xmas Show at Dick’s Den with his trio – Cover is $5.
Have a great week!