Symphony Is Preparing A Jazzy Pops Concert To Light Up Holiday Season

BRIDGEPORT — Legendary jazz pianist Butch Thompson, a frequent performer on public radio’s popular series “A Prairie Home Companion,” will join Greater Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra under the baton of guest conductor Oscar Bustillo on Saturday, December 6.

 “A Jazzy Holiday Pops Concert” will feature such ragtime classics as Scott Joplin’s “Solace: A Mexican Serenade,” Fats Waller’s “Honeysuckle Rose” and Eubie Blake’s “Memories of You” (with Butch Thompson on clarinet), and a Duke Ellington big band medley.

The program will also include selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, Humperdink’s “Prelude” to Hansel and Gretel, and entertaining arrangements of holiday favorites, from a jazzy “Jingle Bells” and “Reindeer Rag” to a bluesy, lyrical “Silent Night.” The orchestra will also play Mel Torme’s “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” a Hanukkah medley, and a traditional Christmas sing-along. 

The 8 pm performance will take place at Klein Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport.

Last year the Klein Auditorium — GBSO’s home for the past 57 years — made several important improvements to enhance the concert experience. Its new wood-paneled acoustic shell puts the facility on par with the best concert halls in the New York metropolitan region, according to GBS President Doris Harrington of Fairfield. The facility is easily reached from all major routes. Free, attended parking is provided for symphony patrons.

In a career spanning 35 years, pianist Butch Thompson has earned a worldwide reputation as a master of ragtime, stride, and classic jazz piano. He spends much of his time on tour in the U.S. and internationally. Although he often travels as a soloist, he also appears with his well-known trio, and his eight-piece New Orleans Jazz Originals band.

He performs with symphony orchestras, among them recently the Hartford Symphony, the St Louis Symphony, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Cairo (Egypt) Symphony. Widely known for his 12-year stint (1974–86) as house pianist and bandleader on public radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” he continues as a frequent guest on that show. In addition to his performance career, Mr Thompson writes articles and reviews on jazz and produces his own weekly show, “Jazz Originals,” on KBEM radio in Minneapolis. His recent recordings include the Grammy-winning Verve release, Doc Cheatam and Nicholas Payton.

As its name implies, Greater Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra has members who reside throughout the region. Personnel for the holiday concert will include Newtown resident Valentine Wolfe in the third trumpet position.

Concertgoers at the December 6 performance will be treated to a pre-concert program by a GBS harpist in the inner lobby of the Klein beginning at 7 pm. Single ticket costs are $17 to $47. Students under 21 will be admitted at half-price in certain price categories; and special discount rates are available for groups of ten or more.

For reservations and information call the Greater Bridgeport Symphony box office at 203-576-0263 or visit the symphony’s website at www.BridgeportSymphony.org.

The Klein box office will be open on the day of the performance after 1 pm.