SPOTLIGHT
On Dec. 15-16, the Baker Baum Hall will present Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz (above), a special concert celebrating jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi’s beloved soundtrack to the 1965 television special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Featuring an all-star band led by award-winning guitarist Peter Sprague and featuring Allison Adams Tucker (voice), Beth Ross Buckley (flute), Tripp Sprague (saxophone, harmonica), Mackenzie Leighton (double bass), Danny Green (piano) and Duncan Moore (drums), the night will showcase new interpretations of such evergreen holiday tunes as “Linus and Lucy” and “Christmas Time Is Here.” The TV special was about discovering the true meaning of Christmas. Nearly 60 years since its first screening, its message and soundtrack still resonate.
Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz: Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15 and 16 at The Baker Baum Concert Hall at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. 7:30 p.m. $38-$98. theconrad.org.
RECOMMENDED
Fans of swing-era dance tunes won’t want to miss A Jazz Big Band Christmas with The Brad Steinwehe Big Band, taking place at Dizzy’s on Dec. 7. The 14-piece group, which includes local heroes such as pianist Irving Flores and saxophonist Christopher Hollyday, will play a selection of holiday favorites such as Glen Miller’s “Yuletide Medley” and Count Basie’s version of “Jingle Bells,” with a guest appearance from former KUSI-TV meteorologist, Dave Scott, on vocals. Anyone who enjoys the sounds of the season will love the big band’s up-tempo Christmas classics. It’s a shame Dizzy’s doesn’t have a dance floor.
A Jazz Big Band Christmas: Thursday, Dec. 7 at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. $20. dizzysjazz.com.
The county’s only music publication, the San Diego Troubadour, hosts its annual Christmas Party on Dec. 10 at Tio Leo’s. “Narrated” by Robert John Hughes with publisher Liz Abbot, the event will feature an acoustic jam on the venue’s outdoor patio, while the indoor mainstage is set to include performances from The Sara Petite Band, The Shenanigans, The Bayou Brothers, The Chuck Schiele Band, Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Orchestra and The Mothmen, featuring Ray Brandes and Ron Silva. For fans of the area’s thriving music scene, this holiday concert can’t be beaten. Only the San Diego Music Awards brings out more luminaries each year, with the holiday spirit making this party a joyous event from start to finish.
The Troubadour Xmas Party: Sunday, Dec. 10 at Tio Leo’s, 6333 Mission Gorge Road. 5 p.m. tioleos.com.
Trumpeter Etienne Charles brings his Creole Christmas show to the Scripps Research Auditorium on Dec. 10. Backed by a five-piece band, Charles’ performances are an explosion of rhythms, transforming a song such as classical mainstay “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy,” into a Caribbean-influenced jazz jam, while “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” is a funky big band update. Charles released a Creole Christmas album in 2015, but live is where you want to experience his music. The interplay between Charles and his virtuoso musicians makes each performance fun, unique, and inspiring.
Etienne Charles Creole Christmas: Sunday, Dec. 10 at the Scripps Research Auditorium, 10620 John Jay Hopkins Drive. 7:30 p.m. ljathenaeum.org.
Classic rock-inspired singer Miss Velvet stops in at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on Dec. 14. The Los Angeles-based singer is perhaps best known for her work in her previous band, Blue Wolf, but is now touring in duo format with guitarist Esay Jones in support of her new album, “Traveler.” Velvet’s vocals are impressive, with a range that is showcased on excellent cover versions of songs such as Aerosmith’s “Dream On.” However, it’s with original music that she shines. Her new recordings contain elements of blues (“Long Way Home”) and progressive folk (“Traveler”), with plenty of melody to spare.
Miss Velvet: Thursday, Dec. 14 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7 p.m. $7-$15. humphreysbackstagelive.com.
La Valencia has become quite the showcase for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Such is the case with Perry O’Neal who performs at the hotel on Dec. 30. Best known for his work with the band Fresh Play, for this gig O’Neal is in solo mode, playing keyboards and performing a mix of R&B hits and standards. It’s a winning combination, with strong versions of tunes such as Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long” and Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” in his set. With an early start time of 6 p.m. and no cover, this is the ideal way to kick off a Saturday evening in La Jolla.
Perry O’Neal: Saturday, Dec. 30 at La Valencia, 1132 Prospect St. 6 p.m. No cover. lavalencia.com
