Well we’ve officially had our first snow here in New York, so of course that’s got us thinking of holiday concerts. Hey, it’s one way to escape the sleet and gives you an excuse to knock back a few martinis. We’ve opted to skip the scrooges and santas and rounded up some more adult endeavors. 

1) On Thanksgiving Day, opt out of that gravy-induced coma and head to the B.B. King Blues Club to see Strawberry Fields: The Ultimate Beatles. Take the Magical Mystery Tour, jive to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and move to the beat of the White Album, Abbery Road, and Let It Be. 

2) On Thanksgiving, legendary jazz artist Gato Barbieri will grace the Blue Note Jazz Club, combining smooth melt-in-your mouth sax sounds with Latin rhythms that pop like fireworks. 

3) Freddy Cole’s residency begins the next day at the Blue Note. As the younger brother of infamous Nat King Cole, jazz runs through his veins. Get ready for gruff blues tunes and crisp, yearning love songs. 

4) Darlene Love’s voice has weaved its way through countless pop songs of the early to mid-1960s. The epitome of Rock and Roll, her aural influence sprinkle itself through popular musicals, movies, and albums. Catch her live at B.B. King’s Blues Club  on December 6th.

5) On December 7th at B.B. King’s Blues Club, we’ve got A Peter White Christmas. A prolific contemporary jazz artist, White will play Christmas classics with his own funky twist, creating an auditory soup of eclectic tunes.  

6) Puerto-Rican-born Jose Feliciano will appear at B.B. King’s on December 15th, filling the room with Latino-infused Christmas classics. His bittersweet voice that calls forth both vibrancy and tragedy, uses slick rhythms and punchy tunes. 

7) The same night, catch Grammy-nominated Everett Bradley as he plays his wildly popular show, Holidelic at the Highline Ballroom. His playful, funk-infused music offers up a fresh and humorous take on the holidays. 

8) On December 16th, head to the Blue Note to see Chris Botti. Noted as America’s largest-selling jazz instrumental artist, he’s received multiple Grammy nominations. His expressive music and unique sound transports listeners to another world.

9) The following week, on December 22nd, hit up B.B. King’s again for Ronnie Spector’s Best Christmas Party Ever. The embodiment of both girl-group pop music and bad-girl antics, her electric voice promises both innocence and grit.

10) On December 26th, wind down the holiday season with Willie Nile as he performs songs from his newest album, American Ride. The album received a chorus of buzz for its variety, with both gravelly soulful songs and a peppy funk sound.

Why not head to NYC to check out these concerts? Simply visit;CheapOair to find your ticket today. 

Photo credit: mgarbowski