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The concerts, held in Rose Theater on December 15 _17 (with a 2pm family matinee on December 17), features the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, the first holiday concert in years to feature the Orchestra. The show includes new arrangements of holiday jazz and spiritual classics.

"I'm reminded of my days in high school playing holiday shows with the symphonic band," Printup continues. "I'm also reminded of the Christmas shows my mother organized at our home church in Georgia [Peeks Chapel Baptist Church]. I can hear her singing 'Silent Night' so beautifully."

This time of the year is a season that brings joy to all. Printup has long been a part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center holiday concerts. "Performing in a variety of Christmas shows here with the great Wycliffe Gordon, Christmas in New York has evolved into something as new and fresh as ever. The audiences are so receptive to our musical offerings," says Printup.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Executive Producer Laura Johnson feels the concerts capture the joy of New Orleans' camaraderie and festivities. "It's uplifting: New Orleans jazz combined with the feeling of the season," says Johnson.

Jazz at Lincoln Center multi-instrumentalist Ted Nash concurs. "The holidays are such an important time. It's about family getting together, celebrating love, spirituality. There's great food. No school. And of course, getting gifts. One of the true gifts of Christmas is the music. And no matter what you do with them, Christmas carols are so wonderful, you can't mess them up. Well, I did once when I was six and tried to play 'Jingle Bells' on the trombone. But that's another story. There's no question this holiday season will bring a serious gift to those who can come and check us out at Rose Theater, swinging some of the most beloved music of all time."

Jazz at Lincoln Center pianist, Dan Nimmer, chimes in, "For me, the holidays are about family and good times. Music helps those good times."

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra drummer Ali Jackson is in the spirit, too. "The holiday season represents family tradition and love of life," he says. "The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra strives to deliver the feeling of love, tradition, and community through the music. "Holiday times are festive times. We, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, celebrate the season with familiar holiday songs, and with joyful shouts of the blues; blending the sounds of hope and optimism with incessant rhythms of meaning and fortitude. Jazz is 'willful participation in the groove': a fruitful holiday is exactly that," Jackson continues. "Our purpose is to touch the soul of every listener, young and old, illuminating the feeling of unity and joy through swing."

Come join the joyful jamming at this year's A New Holiday Revue. It will be packed with talent and spirit. Bring the kids.

For more information, visit jalc.org. There will be a pre-concert discussion at 7pm Friday and Saturday.

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Scott H. Thompson is Assistant Director of Public Relations for Jazz at Lincoln Center.