Basking in the glow of a standing-o is one thing. When they leap to their feet in response to a holiday music concert, you are doubly blessed. Such is the case for the amazing talent we’ve all come to know and love across the region, Bryan Lubeck.
A crowd-favorite dating back to the early days of the Smooth Jazz at Sunset events along the shores of Lake Michigan, Bryan Lubeck returns to The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College on Tuesday, December 19, at 7:30 pm to host Rejoice 2017 – A Tapestry of Holiday Music on the Mainstage. Last year’s live holiday concert was one that brought folks to their feet, and this year builds on that momentum with fresh arrangements of old holiday favorites and new musical surprises to make the holidays sparkle.
Bryan, whose fiery Spanish guitar and smooth urban grooves are staples of holiday radio, will be joined by the vocal and saxophone mastery of radio darling Paula Atherton who made her local debut at this year’s Smooth Jazz at Sunset event. Also joining Bryan, the melodic and contagiously high energy keyboard creations of pianist Scott Allman, and Ted Yoder, who returns to Rejoice after having the most-watched online music video of 2016. This spectacular vocal and instrumental musical tapestry will inspire the spirit of the season and have you “groovin’ in the aisles.”
Lubeck says, “I am happy to now see this show as a holiday tradition for many families. After last year featuring a vocalist who has since appeared on NBC’s The Voice, I am raising the bar even higher with talent that brought 2,000 people to their feet during Smooth Jazz at Sunset at Shadowland Pavilion this year – Paula Atherton.” Lubeck adds, “It’s exciting to see audiences getting into the spirit of the season through this approach of infusing the traditional holiday music variety show with a contemporary groove, artists, and fresh surprises.”
Lubeck received an email out of the blue from Rick O’Dell, one of the most respected contemporary on-air personalities and radio programmers in the country. Attached was O’Dell’s famous Top 20 list of holiday albums of all time. In the Top 10 was Lubeck’s album We Three Strings with the likes of Mannheim Steamroller, The Carpenters, Dave Coz, and Mariah Carey. Since then Lubeck’s career has blossomed with his latest album Tuscan Sky which has spent more than 14 weeks on the various adult contemporary instrumental charts. Still his holiday CD receives regular radio play, with three songs played on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on Sirius XM’s contemporary jazz stations last year — prime spots for an artist of any caliber. Lubeck has recorded with five Grammy Award winners and performed with 12 Grammy Award nominees and winners. Live shows are his forte with his high-energy, fiery Spanish guitar and smooth urban grooves along with an ability to connect with an audience like no other.
Scott Allman has been a familiar face on the Chicago jazz scene for a few years working with top Smooth Jazz artists like Phil Denny, Lin Rountree, chart topper Darren Rahn, and more, including opening for guitar legend Larry Carlton. After Lubeck and Allman shared the stage during a holiday show a couple of years ago, Lubeck invited Allman to play on his latest record Sparks, and now has him as part of the second annual Rejoice holiday show. Allman’s high-energy music is a favorite of contemporary pop and jazz listeners.
Sax player, vocalist, and songwriter Paula Atherton also brought the crowd to its feet this summer in St. Joseph during Smooth Jazz at Sunset. Now this Billboard-charting artist returns to the area to delight audiences again. Atherton has shared the stage with such contemporary jazz notables as The Rippingtons, Nick Colionne, Chuck Loeb, Cindy Bradley, and many others. Atherton’s third album, Enjoy the Ride, had two Billboard charting singles, while her fourth album, Ear Candy, features the Billboard hit single “Between You & Me.” Atherton will release her fifth album this year and is currently featured on Cindy Bradley’s new single “Girl Talk” that reached #2 on Billboard in September of this year.
Ted Yoder is a National Hammered Dulcimer champion. He has released five beloved and critically acclaimed solo albums and has become a master educator of the instrument. Yoder has been profiled in the Kearney Hub, Huffington Post, and on NPR’s All Things Considered, among many other features, profiles, and reviews in regional and taste-making outlets. On Wednesday, August 24, 2016, Yoder became a household name when his Facebook Live video of his Live from the Orchard series playing Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” went viral. The video rocketed up to 53 million views in four days, and has now surpassed the 100 million view mark.
Tickets for Rejoice 2017 – A Tapestry of Holiday Music hosted by Bryan Lubeck start at $24 and are on sale at www.TheMendelCenter.com and through The Mendel Center Box Office at (269) 927-8700, option 1, Monday through Friday from 10am to 6 pm.
Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, seniors, students and children, active military members, and veterans. For information about group rates, pre-show party options, and other special arrangements, contact the Box Office. This performance is sponsored by Signature Automotive Group and 98.3 The Coast. If your business would like to get involved with giving away free dinner, tickets and meet-and-greets with the artists, you can contact Kristen Havens at kristen@wirx.com or 925-1111.
Before the show, patrons can enjoy the Mix & Mingle Holiday Party at 5:30 p.m. in Grand Upton Hall. A sumptuous buffet awaits individuals, couples, small groups, and large groups with chef-carved ham and turkey, a deluxe salad bar, mashed potato station, side dishes, and dessert. Coffee and tea service are included with dinner. Guests may enjoy a full cash bar with a wide selection of Michigan wines, craft beers, and mixed drinks throughout the party. Partygoers can also expect special entertainment surprises. Mix & Mingle Holiday Party tickets are $25 per person and are available at www.TheMendelCenter.com and through the box office.
The 1,559-seat Mendel Center Mainstage Theatre offers state-of-the-art acoustics and comfortable seating in elegant surroundings. Other amenities include a new assistive listening system, free parking, handicap accessibility, and an array of special services including valet parking, catering and bar service for private pre- and post-show events, booster seats for children, non-spill cups for beverages inside the theatre, and premium seats in the Stage Side section.
