Strathmore Jazz Orchestra Christmas
The Strathmore Jazz Orchestra brings a festive big-band program to the Music Center at Strathmore on Friday, December 18, 2026, at 8pm. Music Director Daniel Jamieson leads the ensemble through Duke Ellington’s beloved “Nutcracker” suite alongside classic Christmas songs and seasonal standards from the golden era of jazz. The concert features guest vocal appearances by Strathmore Artists in Residence alumni Christie Dashiell, Taisha Estrada, Gerson Lanza, and Dante’ Pope, with arrangements by Daniel Jamieson, Ben Patterson, Paul White, Richard DeRosa, and Victor Goines. Ed Smith, executive producer and host of “Jazz Now” on Takoma Radio/WOWD 94.3 and co-host of “The Future of Jazz Podcast,” hosts the evening.
From swinging carols to upbeat takes on familiar holiday favorites, the program is designed to be full of toe-tapping rhythms, lush harmonies, and electrifying solos. The Strathmore Jazz Orchestra is the venue’s resident house ensemble of top-tier professional musicians, serving as a creative partner for guest artists on ambitious repertoire, new arrangements, and projects that showcase the full scale, color, and power of a big band.
When: Friday, December 18, 2026, at 8pm.
Venue: The Music Center at Strathmore, Strathmore.
Tickets: $28–$78. Tickets are available through Strathmore. A generous ticket exchange policy applies to Strathmore Presents performances; exchange or credit requests must be made at least 48 hours before the performance. No refunds, exchanges, or credit are available after a show has passed, and refunds are always available if a show is cancelled or rescheduled.
Conductor: Daniel Jamieson, who has built an international reputation as a conductor and composer, leads the Strathmore Jazz Orchestra. He also leads the Danjam Orchestra and has worked with ensembles including the Metropole Orkest, Danish Radio Big Band, WDR Big Band, and Swiss Jazz Orchestra. Since 2016, he has served as Staff Arranger and Music Producer for the U.S. Army Field Band.
Featured Guests: Christie Dashiell, Taisha Estrada, Gerson Lanza, and Dante’ Pope, all alumni of Strathmore’s Artists in Residence program, join as guest vocalists.
Host: Ed Smith, executive producer and host of “Jazz Now” on Takoma Radio/WOWD 94.3 and co-host of “The Future of Jazz Podcast.”
Program: Duke Ellington’s “Nutcracker,” plus classic Christmas songs and holiday arrangements. Arrangements are by Daniel Jamieson, Ben Patterson, Paul White, Richard DeRosa, and Victor Goines.
Musicians: The saxophone section includes Charles Pillow and Amanda Gardier on alto, Paul White and Elijah Jamal Balbed on tenor, and Leigh Pilzer on baritone. The trumpet section is Tony Kadleck, Tyler Mire, Kenny Rittenhouse, and Stuart Mack. The trombone section is John Fedchock, Ben Patterson, Kyle Johnson, and Jennifer Wharton. The rhythm section is Jonathan Epley on guitar, Janelle Gill on piano and keys, Amy Shook on bass, and Allison Miller on drums.
About the Orchestra: The Strathmore Jazz Orchestra is a resident house ensemble of professional musicians that expands what artists can create and what audiences can experience, providing guest artists with a flexible creative partner for ambitious big-band repertoire and new arrangements.
Ages: No stated age restriction; the event is billed as a family-friendly holiday jazz program.
Accessibility: Accessibility information is available on Strathmore’s Accessibility page. All guests pass through security screening before entering the Concert Hall lobbies.
Dining: The Music Center offers à la carte dining at Allegro Kitchen and, for most shows, a multi-course buffet with reserved seating at the Prelude Buffet, with advanced reservations encouraged. Bars open before each concert and during intermission. Outside food and beverages are not permitted.
Community Access Tickets: Tickets under $30 are available for all Strathmore Presents programs in the Music Center. Discounted tickets must be requested through Strathmore’s community access ticket form at least one full week in advance, and are intended for community members, not resale.