The 2016 holiday season was off to a great Smooth Jazz start with Marquee Concerts presenting A Peter White Christmas featuring Peter White, Rick Braun, and Euge Groove at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill located in the heart of Times Square in New York City. Favorite holiday songs had the packed house audience filled with good cheer and the excitement of the holidays.
Peter White
B. B. King Blues Club & Grill NYC
The holiday season in New York City is always one of excitement when the city looks its prettiest and brightest from the attractively decorated shop windows to the spectacular Christmas trees at Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park. Christmas and holiday plays, ballets, and special concerts help mark the season and make the month merry.
On Friday, December 2, 2016, we had the pleasure of attending A Peter White Christmas featuring Peter White, Rick Braun and Euge Groove at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill and it was the perfect way to start the holiday season – Smooth Jazz style. The combination of Peter White on acoustic and electric guitars, Rick Braun on trumpet and flugelhorn, Euge Groove on saxophone, Stevo Theard on drums, Nate Phillips on bass, and Ron Reinhardt on keys, all talented and influential musicians on the Jazz circuit, made for a memorable evening of holiday music.
Euge Groove, Peter White, Rick Braun
The 90-minute set took the packed house, mixed-age audience on a musical tour of favorite Christmas songs, at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill the eponymous club named for the legendary B.B. King, singer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader (September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015) which opened in 2000 in the heart of Times Square. Sitting at a stage-side table provided us with the perfect intimate vantage point to experience the show and set our spirits soaring with the excitement and energy of the band and the season.
Euge Groove
Peter White and the band opened the show with the traditional Little Drummer Boy written by American composer Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941, followed by the very old English folk song Greensleeves. Next in the line-up was the contemporary song, This Christmas written by Donny Hathaway in 1970, followed by a Christmas Medley.
Stevo Theard
By the time the band started into the first few bars of Jingle Bells the audience was in full holiday swing with more than a few members of the audience joining in and singing along. Euge Groove gave a beautiful introduction to the song, Go Tell It On The Mountain, before Stevo Theard launched into the lyrics.
Peter White doing Elvis
Diverging from more traditional songs, the band segued into Doowop White Christmas, with Peter, Rick, Euge, Stevo, and Nate singing acapella. Peter White had a bit of fun, changing into a black Elvis wig and donning a cape for the Elvis song, Blue Christmas.
For the song, Silent Night, written by Franz Xavier Gruber and Joseph Mohr in 1818 in Austria, Peter switched to acoustic guitar for a long solo before the band joined in with Steveo Theard once again lending his beautiful voice to this poignant song.
Nate Phillips
Throughout the night, the band kept the energy high and the holiday spirit in full swing having fun and engaging the audience. A few of the many other songs they played included Sleigh Ride, The Christmas Song, Cadillac Slim featuring Rick Braun, Livin’ Large, and Bueno Funk, before the band took the audience back to 1968 with the song, Grazin’ In The Grass, followed by Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.
Peter White notes about the show, "My earliest memories of Christmas were probably not much different from many other people: snowflakes, tinsel, Santa Claus, reindeer and the opening of presents surrounded by family. As a child, my father taught me to play Christmas music on my first instrument, the recorder, and my love for Christmas music has endured throughout the years. I hope this tour will be an opportunity for many Smooth Jazz fans to enjoy their favorite Christmas songs in a family setting. You know, I might even bring my recorder!"
Rick Braun
While Peter did not play his recorder for the band’s performance at B. B. King Blues Club & Grill on December 2, 2016, it was a night of holiday musical magic, one that will live on in the hearts and minds of the audience!
After the show, Peter White, Rick Braun and Euge Groove took time for a meet and greet with the enthusiastic audience.
B. B. King Blues Club & Grill Information
Peter White
"B.B. King Blues Club is one of NYC’s premier Live Music Venues & Supperclubs. Since opening in 2000, BB Kings has hosted, and continues to host, some of the greatest legends in music. Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Alicia Keys, The Allman Brothers, Gipsy Kings, ZZ Top, & Jay Z have all performed on its stage, making it a must-see destination for anyone who loves live music."
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill is open daily from 11:00 am until 1:00 am for lunch, dinner, and drinks. Concerts vary in their start time, but most shows begin at 8:00 pm and 10:30 pm. Doors open at 6:00 pm for most shows. Please contact the box office for specific show times. Seating is on a first come first served basis so arrive early for best seating. All seating is cabaret style; you may be seated at a table with other guests. There is a $10 per person Food & Beverage minimum. Shows are open to all ages, however some late shows are 21+ years of age, so call their box office for more information.
Debra C. Argen, Peter White, Edward F. Nesta
For a list of upcoming performances at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, please visit the website: www.BBKingBlues.com.
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
237 W 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues
New York, New York 10036
United States
Box Office: +1-212-997-4144
Website: www.BBKingBlues.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BBKingBluesNYC
For information on upcoming tours including A Peter White Christmas, please visit the websites: www.PeterWhite.com, www.RickBraun.com, and www.EugeGroove.com.
Debra C. Argenand RIck Braun
For information on Marquee Concerts, please visit the website: www.MarqueeConcerts.com
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Edward F. Nesta, Euge Groove,Debra C. Argen
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