Musical Heat and Light When the Days Grow Dark: Pictures from My December 2012 Holiday Concert

Creating light and heat through song for the winter holidays

Ben Flint, Fred Randolph, Lisa B (Lisa Bernstein), and Alan Hall

Great fun at my December 2012 holiday concert at Musically Minded Academy in Oakland, Calif. I love communicating with the audience through fun and meaningful holiday songs from various traditions — and adding my own spoken-sung originals. 

Our set ranged from "Let It Snow" to "Hine Ma Tov," from "My Favorite Things" to my original "Holiday in Oakland," from Matisyahu's "Miracle" about Chanukah to a magical reimagining of "Night and Day" for the winter solstice.

The band was creative, energized, and in synch with me and each other. I love that feeling! It's like riding an amazing conveyance with an alert crew, who are not only navigating the landscape but bringing it into being. 

Ben Flint always looks strikingly relaxed while powering jazz, soul, folk and rock grooves, harmonic depth, and emotional exploration aplenty on piano.

Fred Randolph on bass and Alan Hall on drums generated  mighty rhythmic underpinnings (even when soft) with just the right balance of energy and empathy.

Stage directions are crucial with improvisation

An attentive crowd shows up even on a Sat. night in December

Fred Randolph and Ben Flint striking a mature gangsta pose

Anna Orias, right, runs Musically Minded Academy

Our set ranged from "Let It Snow" to "Hine Ma Tov," from "My Favorite Things" to my original "Holiday in Oakland," from Matisyahu's "Miracle" about Chanukah to a magical reimagining of "Night and Day" for the winter solstice