This 2023 holiday season at the Jazz Loft will have you thinking “Do I really need to go into New York City to feel holiday magic?” The answer is “NO!”
This year The Jazz Loft will be presenting six performances of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, one of the most often performed Jazz versions of the holiday classic. The show will feature The Jazz Loft’s 17-piece Big Band, led by Tom Manuel, narrators, and vocals by Danny Bacher.
On December 2, what better way to mark the longest hours of darkness and the rebirth of the sun, than to experience the powerful energy of Jazz with Ray Anderson’s Seasonal Solstice Party? Anderson, Distinguished Toll Professor at Stony Brook University, describes the show as “a party, joyous and celebratory.”
“We are grateful to be alive and able to celebrate the return of the light, as the days will begin to grow longer,” Anderson says. “This return of the light is celebrated by virtually every human culture, and we mean to include everyone: all faiths, all beliefs, all none-of-the-above, Everyone!”
On December 21, Grammy-nominated singer and Jazz Loft favorite Nicole Zuraitis’ Jazz Christmas Party comes back to the venue. Zuraitis appears backed by a big band ensemble to present classic holiday chestnuts.
The ambitious holiday concert schedule will end on December 22, when the saints and spirit of the holidays will be marching in as Manuel presents his beloved Eggnog Romp, featuring traditional New Orleans-style holiday music. The show will feature the Loft’s six-piece band led by Manuel. Homemade eggnog will be available, as well as the usual beverages.
Manuel describes this concert as…
“So imagine you’re on line at Target or Macy’s buying presents and Louis Prima is in front of you, Louis Armstrong behind you, and Mel Brooks or Jonathan Winters is the checkout person! That’s the spirit of the music for our Eggnog Romp guaranteed to put you in the spirit as you wish everyone a swingin’ Christmas from that moment on!”
On December 18., for the second year, The Jazz Loft will present the Jazz Nativity. This candlelight Jazz service will feature the Biblical Christmas story with Jazz sextet and Metropolitan Opera soprano Susanna Phillips. This performance will include an impressive lineup of jazz artists teamed up with guest narrators who will share the classic biblical Christmas story. Journey with the Three Wise Men as they travel to Bethlehem, join Mary and Joseph as they follow the Star and celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus.
For tickets visit The Jazz Loft website TICKETS.
Full schedule below:
Bad Little Big Band’s Holiday Show
Friday, December 1 at 7 p.m.
The Jazz Loft presents the Bad Little Big Band’s Holiday Show, a 12-piece band, directed by composer, arranger and pianist Rich Iacona, featuring vocalist Madeline Kole. Tickets are $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students and $25 children.
Ray Anderson’s Seasonal Solstice Party
Saturday, December 2 at 7 p.m.
What better way to mark the longest hours of darkness and the rebirth of the sun, than to experience the powerful energy of Jazz with Ray Anderson’s Seasonal Solstice Party at The Jazz Loft, with Ray Anderson, trombone, vocals, sousaphone. General admission is $40 adults, $35 for seniors; $30 for students and $25 for children.
Young at Heart: It's The Holiday Season
Wednesday, December 6 at 1 p.m.
Young at Heart “It’s the Holiday Season” presents a mix of all the holiday classics with signature gems from Andy Williams, Perry Como and Bing Crosby songbooks. Featuring Manuel on cornet, Steve Salerno on guitar & Keenan Zach on bass. Tickets are $10.
Nutcracker Holiday Show
Thursday, December 7 at 7 p.m.
The Jazz Loft will be presenting the Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, one of the most often performed Jazz versions of the holiday classic. The show will feature The Jazz Loft’s 17-piece Big Band, led by Tom Manuel, and Danny Bacher on vocals. Tickets are $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students and $25 children.
Nutcracker Holiday Show
Friday, December 8 at 7 p.m.
The Jazz Loft will be presenting the Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, one of the most often performed jazz versions of the holiday classic. The show will feature The Jazz Loft’s 17-piece Big Band, led by Tom Manuel, and Danny Bacher on vocals. Tickets are $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students and $25 children.
Interplay Jazz Orchestra Family Show
Saturday, December 9 at 1 p.m.
The 17-piece big band co-directed by Joe Devassy, trombone & Gary Henderson, trumpet is a Jazz Loft tradition. This is a wonderful concert to introduce live Jazz to children and grandchildren. It’s a holiday family affair! $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students. And $25 for children.
Nutcracker Holiday Show
Saturday, December 9 at 7 p.m.
The Jazz Loft will be presenting the Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, one of the most often performed jazz versions of the holiday classic. The show will feature The Jazz Loft’s 17-piece Big Band, led by Tom Manuel, and Danny Bacher on vocals. Tickets are $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students and $25 children.
Nutcracker Holiday Show
Thursday, December 14 at 7 p.m.
The Jazz Loft will be presenting the Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, one of the most often performed jazz versions of the holiday classic. The show will feature The Jazz Loft’s 17-piece Big Band, led by Tom Manuel, and Danny Bacher on vocals. Tickets are $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students and $25 children.
Nutcracker Holiday Show
Friday, December 15 at 7 p.m.
The Jazz Loft will be presenting the Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, one of the most often performed jazz versions of the holiday classic. The show will feature The Jazz Loft’s 17-piece Big Band, led by Tom Manuel, and Danny Bacher on vocals. Tickets are $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students and $25 children.
Nutcracker Holiday Show
Saturday, December 16 at 7 p.m.
The Jazz Loft will be presenting the Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, one of the most often performed jazz versions of the holiday classic. The show will feature The Jazz Loft’s 17-piece Big Band, led by Tom Manuel, and Danny Bacher on vocals. Tickets are $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students and $25 children.
Jazz Nativity
Sunday, December 17 at 5 p.m.
Candlelight jazz nativity service featuring the Biblical Christmas story with Jazz sextet and featuring Metropolitan Opera soprano Susanna Phillips. This performance will include an impressive lineup of jazz artists teamed up with guest narrators who will share the classic biblical Christmas story. Journey with the Three Wise Men as they travel to Bethlehem, join Mary and Joseph as they follow the Star and celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus. Tickets are $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students and $25 children.
Jazz Nativity
Sunday, December 17 at 8 p.m.
Candlelight jazz nativity service featuring the Biblical Christmas story with Jazz sextet and featuring Metropolitan Opera soprano Susanna Phillips. This performance will include an impressive lineup of jazz artists teamed up with guest narrators who will share the classic biblical Christmas story. Journey with the Three Wise Men as they travel to Bethlehem, join Mary and Joseph as they follow the Star and celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus. Tickets are $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students and $25 children.
Nicole Zuraitis’ Jazz Christmas Party
Thursday, December 21 at 7 p.m.
Grammy nominated vocalist Nicole Zuraitis appears backed by a big band ensemble to present classic holiday chestnuts. Powerhouse vocalist, New York-based bandleader and winner of the 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal, Nicole Zuraitis continues to establish herself as an undeniable force in the modern jazz landscape of both NYC and beyond. Nicole’s bold, versatile voice possesses a special combination of soothing warmth, familiar authenticity, and raw grit that is reinventing the world’s conception of what it means to be a jazz artist. Tickets are $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students and $25 children.
Eggnog Romp
Friday, December 22 at 7 p.m.
It’s The Jazz Loft’s traditional Eggnog Romp program featuring the Loft’s six-piece band led by Tom Manuel. This special Saturday show makes it the perfect break from the holiday rush. The Jazz Loft’s legendary homemade eggnog will be available, as well as the usual beverages. Tickets are $35 adults, $30 seniors, $25 students and $20 children.