The Boston Pops’ Christmas concerts and ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet are timeless New England seasonal classics, but in 2019 the Compaq Big Band started a new tradition with ‘Boston’s Big Band Christmas’ at the fabulous City Winery – and we sold out in advance! After a most unwelcome hiatus courtesy of the pandemic, we are ecstatic to announce that we are back on Thursday December 22nd! If you don’t know CW as a jazz destination, you should - check out citywinery.com/boston and “City Winery Boston” on Facebook.

It will be an amazing evening filled with seasonal favorites like you’ve never heard them before – exciting, inspirational, and just plain fun. Even the biggest Grinch can’t help but get in the Christmas spirit!

The show runs 8:00pm-10:00pm. Reserved Seating only, with tickets $32 - $38 per person, depending on section selected. Due to our 2019 show selling out before the event, and this show already near capacity, we strongly recommend advance ticket purchase at  https://citywinery.com/boston/Online/article/BOS-Compaq-Big-Band-12-22-22-8pm. Walk-ins welcomed as space permits.  Doors open 6:00pm.

City Winery is located at 80 Beverly Street in the heart of Downtown Boston, close to familiar landmarks such as the Haymarket, the North End, TD Garden, and Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market. And, there are both Orange and Green Line ‘T’ station entrances one block away. Advance ticket holders are eligible for a discounted rate at the Government Center Garage – see the FAQs page on the City Winery web site.

With a phenomenal sound system and terrific sight lines, there’s not a bad seat in the house. And, City Winery has a wonderful menu along with a great selection of wine, beer, and cocktails for before or during the show.

The styles you’ll hear on December 22nd run the gamut from traditional swing to very UNtraditional jazz rock, ballad, samba and jazz waltz tunes – all high-energy arrangements from legendary big band arrangers such as Gordon Goodwin, Count Basie, Tom Kubis, Sammy Nestico, Dave Metzger, and John Clayton. Amazing jazz vocalist Alexandra Grace will be out front channelin’ Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Linda Eder, Mariah Carey, and much more.

The Compaq Big Band is one of the longest continuously large-format jazz ensembles in New England. Formed in 1975, the group has performed for hundreds of clients across the region and beyond, impressing crowds at swing dances, gala celebrations, nonprofit fundraisers, music festivals, summer concerts, and legendary Boston area jazz venues and theaters. Among the band’s many accomplishments are a 10-day/7-gig tour of the United Kingdom, producing and warming up for two sold out shows of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, several concerts featuring international high jazz trumpet virtuoso Wayne Bergeron, and providing the music for two Vermont Burlesque Festival grand finales.

Singer-songwriter Alexandra Grace has been in the Compaq Big Band’s rotation of stellar New England jazz vocalists for over four years. Born, raised, and currently residing in Gloucester, MA she’s a vocal music educator at the Waring School in Beverly, has a full private studio lesson practice in Magnolia for voice, songwriting, piano, beginner guitar & and ukulele, and keeps a busy schedule of solo & duo acoustic performances in and around Cape Ann.