Pianist, band-leader and Jazz TXnightclub owner Doc Watkins is throwing a great big musical party this weekend.
The big band concert, which features strings, will be at Pearl Park on Sunday.
"We're going to be playing some Christmas tunes from our latest Christmas release," he said.
He's talking about ‘Christmas in Jazz, TX,’ a CD released over the Thanksgiving holiday.
"Its original arrangements of traditional Christmas tunes,” he said. “We've got a couple of originals on there. We've got some San Antonio stuff on there. Some Count Basie stuff — you know, it's just ... all over the place, but we're really, really proud of it."
IF YOU GO WHAT: Doc Watkins Big Band Holiday Classics Concert WHERE: Pearl Park WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sunday COST: Free
The concert is called a Big Band Holiday Classics Concert. How big?
"It's going to be about 20 pieces, and we've got some string players from the symphony that we're adding into the mix and a full horn section and drums, guitar, bass, a few vocalists and even congas," Watkins said.
Weather forecasts call for clear skies and cool temperatures for the outdoor concert. Watkins offered this piece of advice.
"It's gonna be a little chilly, so bring a scarf,” he said. “I'm just excited to see all the people out there. You know, whenever we get to play to a really large crowd of a few thousand people, it's always so much fun. Just the energy in the audience. And I love Christmas music."
Pearl Park is located in the plaza at the center of the Pearl development.
Jack Morgan can be reached at jack@tpr.org
