A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES toFeature Coke, Harney & Stern, 12/22

Experience the magic of an old time radio show, as Texas jazz musicians Alex Coke, Suzi Stern and Rich Harney bring Dylan Thomas' beloved holiday tale to life in Austin this December. Amidst the sounds of songs, toys, and improvised music, A Child's Christmas in Wales sparkles with surprises, inspired by the enchanting shortstory. The performance (and award winning CD) feature 4 new songs by pianist Harney and vocalist Stern with multi instrumentalist Coke employing a dazzling array of toys that ring, pop, whistle and sing, illuminating the original text in celebration of the season. An Austin holiday favorite since 2006, please join us for this year's family friendly matinee and only public performance. In true holiday spirit, A Child's Christmas In Wales gives the gift of wonder and mirth to music fans, families, and children of all ages.

'Once upon a time, three Austin jazz musicians went Christmas shopping. They came home with snow, wistful memories of snow, tall quiet drifts of snow. They also came home with a storybook, a nostalgic Christmas tale by the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. And they came home with toys: whistles and bugles and squeaky Rubber Ducks. The jazz musicians sat together with their gifts, their memories, their instruments. And then they created a piece of art - part music, part spoken word, part toy symphony ...'
Brad Buchholz, Austin American Statesman

Sound Samples:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/alexsuzirich

Sunday, December 22, 2013 at 3pm
First Presbyterian Church
8001 Mesa Blvd
Austin, TX
General admission tickets $15 ( $5 for children)

BIOS:
Alex Coke is an award winning jazz saxophonist, flutist and composer based in Austin Texas and Amsterdam, Netherlands. An original member of The Creative Opportunity Orchestra, touring member of The Willem Breuker Kollektief, & founding member of The Worthy Constituents, The Leadbelly Legacy Band, New Texas Swing and The Live Action Brass Band, Coke has performed and recorded with some of the world's most accomplished musicians.

Rich Harney is a prolific jazz composer/musician and one of Austin's most in demand pianists. He has performed extensively with Gene Ramey, Tony Campise, Carmen Bradford (Count Basie Orchestra), Alex Coke (Worthy Constituents),& Martin Banks (Duke Ellington Orchestra), among others. MUSICIAN Magazine named Harney's Sextetone of the "Twelve Best Unsigned Bands Nationwide".

About Suzi Stern:
The combination of Stern's emotional clear voice, flying over her uncatagorizable compositions with her poignant lyrics creates a magic that moves the listener and is unforgettable. Jazz pianist Denny Zeitlin says of Stern "It has been years since a singer has affected me so profoundly. Suzi has it all: a fantastic vocal instrument, effortless musicality, and a special way of working with the material and evoking the deepest emotions." In 2013, Suzi released a CD of her compositions called "Romancing The Dark" on Bus Biscuit Records.

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