Aardvark Jazz Orchestra 51st Annual Christmas Concert at Church Of The Covenant

The legendary Aardvark Jazz Orchestra has been called “stunningly beautiful” (New York City Jazz Record), "spellbinding" (The Boston Globe), "captivating" (Jazz Improv), and “one of the best jazz ensembles in the world” (Jazz Podium, Germany). CultureJazz.France hailed the orchestra’s “expansive harmony, brilliant music... discipline, openness, and freedom…an exceptional big band.”

On December 9, Aardvark will present its 51st Annual Christmas Concert, dedicated to the late Arni Cheatham (1948-2023), esteemed saxophonist with the band for 46 years. The concert will feature the premiere of Mark Harvey’s latest piece, The Gift, in Cheatham’s honor, plus joyful jazz carols, spirituals, and wide-ranging American originals. Selections will include the Shepherd’s Carol by William Billings, the African American spiritual Go Tell It on the Mountain, the soul-jazz classic Cristo Redentor by Duke Pearson, and the band’s updated arrangement of the 17th-century Advent hymn, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, performed on the very first Aardvark Christmas concert in 1973. The December 9 concert is a benefit concert for Rosie’s Place. Tickets are $20 at the door. ...

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The legendary Aardvark Jazz Orchestra has been called “stunningly beautiful” (New York City Jazz Record), "spellbinding" (The Boston Globe), "captivating" (Jazz Improv), and “one of the best jazz ensembles in the world” (Jazz Podium, Germany). CultureJazz.France hailed the orchestra’s “expansive harmony, brilliant music... discipline, openness, and freedom…an exceptional big band.”

On December 9, Aardvark will present its 51st Annual Christmas Concert, dedicated to the late Arni Cheatham (1948-2023), esteemed saxophonist with the band for 46 years. The concert will feature the premiere of Mark Harvey’s latest piece, The Gift, in Cheatham’s honor, plus joyful jazz carols, spirituals, and wide-ranging American originals. Selections will include the Shepherd’s Carol by William Billings, the African American spiritual Go Tell It on the Mountain, the soul-jazz classic Cristo Redentor by Duke Pearson, and the band’s updated arrangement of the 17th-century Advent hymn, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, performed on the very first Aardvark Christmas concert in 1973. The December 9 concert is a benefit concert for Rosie’s Place. Tickets are $20 at the door.

The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra gave its inaugural concert on December 23, 1973, at the Church of the Covenant in Boston as a benefit for the Chelsea Fire Fund. Aardvark is excited to return to this beautiful and spacious church – an ideal setting for Aardvark’s 51st Annual Christmas Concert. Every year since 1973, Aardvark has held a Christmas concert to support a deserving cause. Esteemed guests who have joined the Aardvark Christmas concerts include Sheila Jordan, Howard McGhee, Semenya McCord, Ron Gill, Jack Powers, and others. The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra is managed by Americas Musicworks, Rebecca DeLamotte, director.

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