Do you hear what I hear? That’s right — Christmas jazz is here, and not just on the playlists. This week brings seasonal fare from a host of charming vocalists, along with some non-holiday outings that should nonetheless warm your spirits. By the way, next week’s edition of Moment’s Notice will feature WRTI jazz hosts’ Best of 2025. Then we’ll take a holiday break and be back early in the new year.
Spotlight: Jane Monheit —Friday, Zlock Performing Arts Center, Newtown
Twenty-five years after the release of her debut album, Jane Monheit enjoys a well-earned reputation as one of our vocal standard-bearers. She’s the sort of jazz singer who delights in the details, combining pearl-like intonation with an abiding focus on lyrical clarity and emotive possibility. That’s a fine set of skills to bring to any songbook, from the Great American to the Brazilian, Broadway and beyond.
Of course it’s also perfectly suited to the holidays, as Monheit has demonstrated on a pair of albums. Her most recent in this vein is The Merriest, released in 2022. Its track list includes some of what you’d expect, including a softly burnished “The Christmas Song” and an achingly yearning “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” Things get friskier on the title track, which delivered a modest hit for June Christy in the early ‘60s; Monheit brings the right sparkle to the tune, spreading cheer all the way.
Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m., Zlock Performing Arts Center, 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, $42; tickets and information.
Bria Skonberg — Tuesday, World Cafe Live
Christmas Is…, the peppy new digital holiday album by trumpeter and singer Bria Skonberg, splits the difference between classic and contemporary: here’s where to look for a fond new take on “Sugar Rum Cherry” (Duke Ellington’s boozy riff on a Tchaikovsky theme) as well as a laid-back lounge version of “Santa’s Coming For Us” (a peppermint bon bon by the Aussie pop star Sia). There can be no doubt that spirits will be running high during Skonberg’s seasonal tour.
Dec. 16 at 8 p.m., World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut Street, $35-$53.65, purchase tickets.
Dezron Douglas — Wednesday and Thursday, Solar Myth
The low end is a locus for Dezron Douglas, who as a bassist can be seen holding it down for both the Ravi Coltrane Quartet and the Trey Anastasio Band. But Douglas is also a strong leader in his own right, with a natural way of centering the energies in his band. He rolls into Solar Myth this week with regular compatriots: Emilio Modeste on saxophones, George Burton on piano and Joe Dyson on drums.
Dec. 17 and 18 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 South Broad Street, $30 advance, $35 day of show; purchase tickets.
Benny Benack III Quintet Holiday Show — Friday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Back in 2019, trumpeter and vocalist Benny Benack III collaborated with the Steven Feifke Big Band on a jolly album titled Swingin' Season's Greetings. (Along with the likes of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” it includes the possible future chestnut “My Girlfriend is an Elf.”) Benack leads a smaller coterie here, but won’t be scaling back on the holiday spirit; he’ll also have reinforcements in the form of guest singer Michael Stephenson.
Dec. 19 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $30, $100 and $120, with dinner packages; purchase tickets.
Anaïs Reno Quintet — Saturday, Chris’ Jazz Cafe
A jazz singer with a warmly assured style beyond her years, Anaïs Reno has been steadily gaining ground on the scene. She’ll sing holiday favorites — including a “White Christmas” that borrows some arranging mojo from Ahmad Jamal’s version of “Poinciana” — in an engagement featuring Chris Byars on tenor saxophone, Adam Birnbaum on piano, Shameer Shankar on bass and Keith Balla on drums.
Dec. 20 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street, $35, $105 and $125, with dinner packages; purchase tickets.
Bobby Zankel’s Warriors of the Wonderful Sound — Dec. 21, Solar Myth
Philadelphia jazz hero Bobby Zankel leads his flagship band with fiery conviction but a flexibility of purpose. For this special engagement, he’ll welcome a fellow alto saxophonist, Rudresh Mahanthappa, to a lineup that otherwise features Sumi Tonooka on piano, Bryan Rogers on saxophone, Lee Smith on bass and Pheeroan akLaff on drums.
Dec. 21 at 8 p.m., Solar Myth, 1131 South Broad Street, $35 advance, $40 day of show; purchase tickets.
