Get ready to step into a world of holiday magic and timeless jazz with Swingin’ Holidays, a concert that’s sure to jingle your bells and leave you tapping your feet all night long. This is not your average holiday concert—it's a festive celebration of the season, brought to life by the SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble through the vibrant sounds of classic swing, jazz, and a bit of holiday cheer. This concert always sells out.

Swingin' Holidays: A Big Band Christmas

Midlands Technical College

An embarrassment of riches. The SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble will feature four guitarists on the same bill in a dynamic variety of settings including blues, ballads, modern jazz, swing and soul. Don’t miss Amos Hoffman, Greg Patterson, Zach Bingham, and Bert Ligon for a one-of-a-kind celebration of guitar artistry and big band jazz! Vocalists and crowd favorites, Kristi Hood and Edwin Hamilton will join in as well.

Guitar Hero

Renowned trumpeter, composer, bandleader and educator Sean Jones joins the SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble for an explosion of big band sounds. Sean Jones played lead trumpet with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra for six years, served as the musical director of SFJAZZ Collective for two years and has performed and recorded with Nancy Wilson, Diane Reeves, Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, just to name a few.

Season Finale: Virtuoso Trumpet Star, Sean Jones

Italian jazz singer, multi Grammy nominated vocalist-lyricist ROBERTA GAMBARINI was mentored by, toured the world and recorded with some of the greatest Giants of Jazz such as: Jimmy Heath, Benny Carter, James Moody, Tootie Heath, Roy Hargrove, Dave Brubeck, Hank Jones, Paquito D’Rivera, the Dizzy Gillespie Allstars Big Band, Chucho Valdes, and many more.

An Evening with Roberta Gambarini

The SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble will make your season bright with a collection of jazz for the holidays presented with some big band energy and swingin’ sleigh bells for a very merry holiday celebration.

Jazz is for Lovers

Swingin' Holidays

We are celebrating Mike LeDonne’s 68th birthday and the Jazz Masterworks Ensemble is presenting the swinging sounds of a Hammond B-3 organ for the first time. Mike LeDonne has performed with Benny Goodman, Milt Jackson, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Hutcherson, George Coleman, etc. Mike is on over 200 recordings and has produced 23 recordings as a leader.

“The Birthday Concert” featuring Organ Master, Mike LeDonne

A Columbia, SC native and one of the greatest jazz saxophonists of all time, Chris Potter will join the SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble for our season finale. Since emerging on the scene as a sideman 30 years ago with Red Rodney, Chris Potter has gone on to play with everybody from Pat Metheny to Steely Dan. DownBeat magazine called him “One of the most studied (and copied) saxophonists on the planet” and JazzTimes identified him as “a figure of international renown.” Potter’s impressive discography includes 18 albums as a leader, as well as sideman appearances on more than 100 albums!

Saxophone Colossus: Chris Potter

This is the perfect Valentine’s date night. Roberta Gambarini and the SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble will take you on a journey through lush harmonies and gorgeous melodies sweeping everyone off their feet.

Jazz is for Lovers with Roberta Gambarini

Featuring the SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble and five incredible vocalists, this concert has become a beloved favorite, capturing the hearts of audiences with its rich blend of big band brilliance, soulful vocals, and the undeniable chemistry of live music. Grammy winner, Charlton Singleton will serve as guest artist and conductor. Bring your special someone or come solo for an evening of unforgettable music.

Jazz is for Lovers w/ Guest Conductor Charlton Singleton

Pianist, composer and educator, Arturo O’Farrill joins the SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble on a musical journey that promises to be a true celebration of rhythm, culture, and the powerful fusion of jazz and Latin music. Arturo O’Farrill is the winner of 10 Grammy Awards featuring his Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra and the Arturo O’Farrill Sextet. He is Professor of Global Jazz Studies and Assistant Dean at UCLA, has been honored as a Steinway Artist for many years, and is a Blue Note Recording Artist.

Arturo O’Farrill: Afro-Latin Jazz Excursion

Joshua Redman is one of the most acclaimed and respected jazz artists of our generation. He is a Blue Note recording artist, has released two dozen albums as a leader and has recorded and/or performed with a vast array of luminaries, both in jazz and beyond: Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, The Dave Matthews Band, Herbie Hancock, Elvin Jones, Quincy Jones, Big Daddy Kane, B.B. King, Yo Yo Ma, The Rolling Stones, The Roots, McCoy Tyner, and Stevie Wonder, to name a few. The stage will be on fire when Joshua Redman joins the SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble for their season finale.

SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble

Feb 14, 2026

Jazz is for Lovers w/ Guest Conductor Charlton Singleton

Apr 11, 2026

Arturo O’Farrill: Afro-Latin Jazz Excursion

Jun 13, 2026

SEASON FINALE: Joshua Redman, Saxophone Extraordinaire

Dec 7, 2025

Swingin' Holidays: A Big Band Christmas

Sep 6, 2025

Guitar Hero

SC Jazz Masterworks Ensemble