Although dressed for a “Sumer Sizzle “ concert held in the summer here, the Heritage Hall Jazz Band will be all about Christmas when they perform Friday night at The Ritz Theatre. The program includes a new take on some Christmas classics.
Members of the Heritage Hall Jazz Band have rehearsed hard and will deliver what band director Jeff Wood believes is the best yet Christmas Concert tomorrow night.
The concert starts at 7 p.m. at Talladega’s Ritz Theatre and tickets are $12, all reserved seating.
This is the seventh year for the band’s Christmas concert, one that has become a tradition for bringing in the holiday season in Talladega.
“We have challenged ourselves to find the most interesting arrangements we can to perform,” Wood said. “The Christmas classics don’t change all that much, but you can find new and distinctive ways to present them.”
Wood said he is especially excited a bout a new arrangement of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
“It’s really beautiful, and I know people will enjoy it,” he said.
Another selection, “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” is certainly an appropriate one for the week’s weather, Wood added.
The heritage Hall Jazz Band formed in 2004 and there are 20 members, most of the current or retired band directors and high school and or college performers.
Between them, there are decades of musical training and performing experience.
In addition to Wood, members include Chad Bell and Melissa Padgett, alto sax; Paul Thorne and Paul Millard on tenor sax; Ryan Wood on baritone sax; Tony Wood, Buster Bolton, Lloyd Castleberry and Mary McCurdy on trombones; John Conner on bass guitar; Angie Smith, keyboards; David Gomez, guitar; Dave Herring, drums; and vocals, Susannah Herring.
Other selections for the concert include “It’s the Holiday Season,” “This Christmas,” “Christmas Time is Here,” “Hot Chocolate,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” “Greensleeves,” “Oh Christmas Tree,” “The Christmas Waltz,” “The Christmas Song” and a medley of favorites, “Big Band Holiday.”
