KPR to host annual Big Band Christmas concert


Tue, 11/20/2018

author

Feloniz Lovato-Winston

LAWRENCE – Get ready for a cool Yule when Kansas Public Radio presents a Big Band Christmas, the station’s holiday concert served up by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra and special guest vocalist Molly Hammer.

KPR’s 10th annual celebration of holiday tunes begins at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at Liberty Hall in downtown Lawrence. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Vocalist Molly Hammer joins the fun this year. She has been performing in the Kansas City area since 2005. Hammer has an eclectic vocal background, and she has found her home in the world of jazz and blues, drawing inspiration from the likes of Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington, Sara Vaughan and many others. You can hear her regularly at the Green Lady Lounge in Kansas City, Missouri. She can also be seen and heard at one of the many Unity Churches in the Greater Kansas City area nearly every Sunday. Hammer is a graduate of the Artist INC program and has also had the honor of singing the national anthem for both the Royals and the Chiefs.

Formed in 2003, the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra brings many of the region's greatest jazz musicians together to perform big band jazz in a concert setting. The KCJO is under the direction of Clint Ashlock, Kansas City native and trumpeter.

Reserved seating on the floor is no longer available, but there are still general admission tickets (seating in the balcony) available for purchase for $20. The dance floor will be open to balcony and floor seating. Tickets are available at the Liberty Hall box office or ticketmaster.com. A service charge may be added to the order.  Tickets will also be available the night of the concert. The Liberty Hall ticket office is cash-only.

Dr. Stephen Chronister, of Healing Smiles of Topeka, is sponsoring Big Band Christmas.

KPR, a 17-time winner of the KAB’s Station of the Year, licensed to KU, broadcasts on 91.5 FM and 96.1 FM (KPR2) in Lawrence, 89.7 FM in Emporia, 91.3 FM in Olsburg-Junction City, 89.9 FM in Atchison, 90.3 FM in Chanute, and 99.5 FM and 97.9 FM (KPR2) in Manhattan. KPR can be heard online at kansaspublicradio.org, and KPR2, a news-talk programming stream, which can be heard on an HD receiver or on KPR’s website.

Tue, 11/20/2018

author

Feloniz Lovato-Winston

Media Contacts

Feloniz Lovato-Winston

Kansas Public Radio

785-864-5968