Ravinia 2025 Issue 5

Kevin Cole plays “COLE in Your Stocking” Dec. 5 • 7:30 p.m. / Martin Theatre A Christmas stocking filled with coal is the cautionary tale of generations, but a little spelling change instead makes it a proposition to enjoy an extravaganza of fami- ly- and festive-favorite tunes to foster the giddy spirit of the holiday season. Pianist Kevin Cole has built a career around the “Great American Songbook” of (largely) orchestral, jazz, and theater-stage music. With decades of concerts, Cole has finely honed his touch to make his instrument the perfect pairing to voices like Sylvia Mc- Nair, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kelli O’Hara, and Rod Gilfry. His long history at Ravinia has included curating and hosting programs focused on Marvin Hamlisch (2015), Cole Porter (2016), and Ira Gershwin (2017). In his long-awaited return, the pia- nist bring his solo yuletide program “COLE in Your Stocking,” featuring original arrangements and unexpected/original Christmas tunes. Canadian Brass Dec. 6 • 7:30 p.m. / Martin Theatre No group has done more to make the brass quintet fun, entertaining and popular than the Canadian Brass . “Nothing proclaims celebration and festivity like the sound of brass instruments. And if those instru- ments are played by Canadian Brass, there is even greater cause for celebration” ( Toronto Star ). This group has undergone many personnel changes since it was founded in 1970, but its essential essence remains unchanged: great playing combined with an audience-friendly, down- to-earth, and often humorous approach. Holiday brass concerts have become a tradition at Ravinia over the past decade, and now Canadian Brass returns after nearly 20 years to deliver golden bells full of imag- inative takes on tunes like “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch,” “Carol of the Bells,” or a send-up of the sugar-plum-laden Nutcracker the quintet affectionately calls The Canuckcracker . Mr. Chair plays “A Charlie Brown Christmas” Dec. 7 • 1:30 p.m. / Martin Theatre The playful dance of “Linus and Lucy”; the contemplative beauty of “Christmas Time Is Here”; the joyful whimsy of “Skating”—join Mr. Chair for a reimagined journey through one of the most beloved jazz albums of all time— A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio . With rever- ence for the original recording, Mr. Chair brings new life to the timeless melodies that have become a cherished part of the holiday season with a concert of the full album, fresh takes on other winter favorites, and originals. Mr. Chair is an innovative piano trio from Madison, WI, whose versatile style and interests have made them pioneers in improvisa- tional and interdisciplinary music, such as their acclaimed trio arrangement of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue , commis- sioned and soon to be reprised by Madison Ballet. RAVINIA.ORG  • RAVINIAMAGAZINE 23 ANDREWROGERS(COLE);CHRISGOULET(BRASS);KRISTINSHAFEL(MR.CHAIR)