This seasonal jazz concert is a 15 year tradition, It started at the College of St. Rose with Sal Prizio leading some of the 518’s jazz musicians in a celebration of the holiday season. The tradition has been passed to the Proctor’s Collaborative through the musical direction of Dave Gleason and the Proctor’s Mike McCord . This year’s performance was at UPH as well as the GE Theater.
The show was centered a simulated radio broadcast that would periodically be updated and the centerpiece being Vince Guaraldi’s music for the Charlie Brown Christmas. Musical performances were featuring Dave’s Art D’Echo Trio, a horn section of Chris Pasin-trumpet, Brian Patenaude on saxophones and bass clarinet, Ben O’ Shea on trombones, Hannah Amigo and Mike McCord on vocals.
After the radio intro, Art D’Echo set the tone with “Christmas is Coming” and “Skating”, both from the beloved Peanuts special. Hannah Amigo then joined delivering the vocals for “Christmastime is here”. The horns were introduced for a mambo based version of “Jingle Bells”.
Music ranged from the familiar holiday fare to stretches further into the jazz idiom. “We Three Kings” was given a Coltranesque spin arranged and featuring Chris Pasin on trumpet.
“The Grinch Theme” from another classic Christmas special was given a humorous treatment with the lower end of the musical scales.
The flirtatious 1953 Eartha Kitt novelty hit “Santa Baby”with the coquettish flirtatiousness of the original was sung by Hannah Amigo.
Warren Anderson’s pop orchestra hit “Sleighride” was given a jazz treatment even though it still featured the sound of the horse’s hooves from the original.
Jose’ Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad” prominently featured Ben O’Shea and Pete Sweeney doing a double time cha cha.
“We Three Kings” was modal.
“Twelve Days Of Christmas” was given a 518 treatment mentioning the Northway, Market 32, 787 and Live @ Five among other local references. It was a singalong made up on the spot by Mike McCord.
Going back to Peanuts, “O’Tannenbaum” was a trio performance.
The sentimental “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” was sung by Hannah Amigo.
“Baby Its Cold Outside” was arranged as a little skit with Dave Gleason playing a cab driver, Hannah and Mike performing a duet.
Dave Gleason’s mastery of the keys was just part of the performance, it was truly featured on the Hannukah song, Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel. Mike Lawrence and Pete Sweeney kept the pace.
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing” And “Linus & Lucy”by the Trio closed out the program with the cast 2nd lining out with “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”.
See everybody again next year.
Setlist:
Christmastime is Coming, Skating, Christmastime is Here, Jingle Bells Mambo, The Grinch Theme, Winter Wonderland/Let It Snow, Santa Baby, Sleigh Ride, Commercial, Feliz Navidad, We Three Kings, Twelve Days of Christmas, O Holy Night, O Tannenbaum, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Man With A Bag, Baby Its Cold Outside, Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Dig That Crazy Santa Claus, Linus & Lucy, Santa Claus is Coming To Town
Band
- Dave Gleason-piano
- Mike McCord-announcer, vocals
- Mike Lawrence-bass
- Pete Sweeney- drums
- Hannah Amigo-vocals
- Brian Patenaude- saxophone, clarinet
- Chris Pasin- trumpet
- Ben O’Shea-trombones