I hope everyone out there had a great Thanksgiving! As the season is now officially here, it’s time to start my weekly Holiday Jazz Guide highlighting holiday-themed jazz events. As of press time, Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s annual “Home for the Holidays” concerts are underway and will continue daily from Thursday, November 30th to Sunday, December 2nd at the Southern Theatre. Showtimes and tickets are available here for this special show that features jazz vocalist David Pruyn and Opera Columbus soprano Peggy Kriha Dye. The Otterbein University Department of Music presents a free Jazz Holiday Showcase with its Jazz Ensemble and Opus One vocal ensemble on Friday, December 1st at 8pm at Cowan Hall in Westerville (more details here). On Saturday, December 2nd at 7pm, vocalist Shane D. Wilson offers a dynamic, New Orleans-style take on Christmas tunes in her free Holiday Show at Java Central in Westerville. And on Wednesday, December 6th at 8pm, OSU Jazz Studies presents a free Holiday Concert with The OSU Jazz Ensemble and combos at Weigel Hall (more details here). Keep reading for more seasonal and non-seasonal jazz options for your week, including a great holiday option for Saturday night.
Shows To See This Week
Friday, December 1st (10pm – 2am): Kelly McLennan (EDIT: Due to a family issue, McLennan will no longer be performing) Jon Eshelman & A Coterie Of Melodymakers at Dick’s Den. A talented cast of Columbus musicians will play a “Soulful & Swingin'” gig at “The One and Only.” The band for the evening is Nathan Smith (bass), Zach Compston (drums), Alex Burgoyne (sax), Tim Perdue (trumpet), and keyboardist Jon Eshelman, who will be celebrating a birthday! Swing by Dick’s for a fun night of jazz – Cover is $5.
Saturday, December 2nd (7 – 9:30pm): Jazz on the Avenue: “Holiday Jazz Celebration” at King Arts Complex. A community favorite that is back by popular demand, this concert brings “a vibrant, festive collection of jazzy Holiday songs” and other classics to King-Lincoln Bronzeville. The focal point of the program will be three of Columbus’ finest vocalists: Jeanette Williams, Mary McClendon and Dolly King! They will be backed by an all-star band of Melvin Stewart on bass, Vernon Hairston on keys and Jerry Powell on drums. Get your tickets here NOW while they last! And stroll through the neighborhood to see Mayme Moore Park decorated with lights to mark the start of the season.
Wednesday, December 6th (7:30 – 10pm): An Evening with George Winston at Lincoln Theatre. Virtuoso pianist Winston stops through Columbus to share timely favorites while covering styles that include melodic folk piano (a style he pioneered), New Orleans R&B piano, and stride piano. The Michigan native has sold millions of copies of his solo piano albums, many of which focus on the different seasons. Expect to hear tunes from these along with Peanuts crowd-pleasers from his Vince Guaraldi tribute albums “Linus and Lucy,” “The Music of Vince Guaraldi,” and “Love Will Come – The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Vol.2.” Tickets are available here but moving fast.
Have a great week! Sample some of Winston’s work via video: