To All A Good Night 2
December 15-17, 2016
harbourfront centre theatre, toronto
In the second edition of our alternative to the standard Christmas concert fare, singers Jackie Richardson, Tom Wilson, David Wall, Liam Titcomb and Jessica Mitchell performed classic Christmas carols, holiday heartbreakers and a few surprises, all presented in new arrangements commissioned exclusively for the all-star ensemble.
A reading by actor Julian Richings, a swingin’ performance of Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite by a 15-piece Big Band, plus a handful of instrumental surprises rounded out a concert that broke from tradition and celebrated the best music of the season.
Repertoire/Credits/Media
🎥 Twas the Night Before Christmas, Charles Dickens
Julian Richings reader, Canadian Children’s Opera Company
The Nutcracker Suite, Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn
adapted from compositions by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsk
i. Overture
ii. Toot Toot Tootie Toot (Dance of the Reed Pipes)
iii. Peanut Brittle Brigade (March)
iv. Sugar Rum Cherry (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy)
v. Entr'acte
vi. Volga Vouty (Russian Dance)
vii. Chinoiserie (Chinese Dance)
viii. Dance of the Floreadores (Waltz of the Flowers)
Andrew Downing bass, John Johnson alto & soprano sax, clarinet & flute, Steve McDade trumpet, John MacLeod trumpet, John MacMurchy woodwinds, Mike Murley tenor sax, Brian O’Kane trumpet, Christian Overton trombone, Terry Promane trombone, Davide Direnzo drums, Rob Somerville trombone, Tom Szczesniak piano, Kevin Turcotte trumpet, Perry White saxophone
INTERMISSION
Silent Night/Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis, Franz Xavier Gruber/Tom Waits
arranged by Steve MacKinnon
Jackie Richards & Jessica Mitchell vocals
🎥 Santa Baby, Joan Javits & Philip Springer
arranged by Bryden Baird
Jessica Mitchell, vocals
White Christmas, Irving Berlin
arranged by Dan Parr
David Wall, vocals
🎥 Christmas in Prison, John Prine
Tom Wilson, vocals/guitar
Fairytale of New York, Jem Finer & Shane McGowan
arranged by Aaron Davis
Liam Russell & Jessica Mitchell, vocals
🎥 Little Drummer Boy, Katharine Kenicott Davis
arranged by Robert Carli
Jackie Richardson, vocals
(I’m Spending) Hanukkah in Santa Monica, Tom Lehrer
arranged by Jim McGrath
David Wall, vocals
River, Joni Mitchell
arranged by Jonathan Goldsmith
Jessica Mitchell, vocals
Blue Christmas, Billy Hayes & Jay W. Johnson
arranged by Shelly Berger
Tom Wilson, vocals
🎥 I Pray on Christmas, Harry Connick Jr.
arranged by Jim McGrath
Jackie Richardson, vocals
Happy Xmas (War is Over), John Lennon & Yoko Ono
arranged by Kevin Fox
Liam Russell & Canadian Children’s Opera Company
Andrew Burashko piano, Andrew Downing bass, John Johnson woodwinds, Drew Jurecka violin, Amy Laing cello, Douglas Perry viola, Rob Piltch guitar, David Direnzo, Stephen Sitarski violin, Kevin Turcotte trumpet
Artists
Photos
Photos by John Lauener
Related Performances/Recordings
To All A Good Night 1 (2015) - Toronto, ON
To All A Good Night 3 (2017) - Toronto, ON
To All A Good Night 4 (2018) - Toronto, ON
To All A Good Night 4 (2018) - Brampton, ON
To All A Good Night 5 (2019) - Toronto, ON
Virtually Live: To All a Good Night (2020) - Video
Christmas in Prison (2021) - Recording
To All A Good Night 6 (2021) - Toronto, ON
To All A Good Night 7 (2022) - Toronto, ON
To All A Good Night 8 (2023) - Toronto, ON