Christmas Jam Q & A (compilation of highlights)

Christmas Jam Q&A: Bill Evans (guest saxophonist)

Xpress: Who are you most excited to jam with at Christmas Jam?
Bill Evans (guest saxophonist): I've always had a blast playing with Warren, so that would be a favorite. I see that Jimmy Herring with be there, Phil Lesh, Widespread Panic. I've had a chance to play with all of those guys this past year as well, so any opportunity to play with them would of course be fun. It's all good.   
 
What’s your favorite Christmas song? “The Christmas Song.” I learned it on piano when I was about 7 years old, so that would be at the top of my list.

If you could have another Christmas Jam artist cover one of your songs, who would it be and what song would you want them to play? There is a song I wrote with Warren, from my last CD, Dragonfly, called “Tit for Tat.” Aquarium Rescue Unit would nail that one.

Other than playing the festival, is there anything else you’re excited about doing while you’re in Asheville? Hanging out and having some fun with everyone there. This is my second time at Christmas Jam, and the first one was a blast! I’m excited to be back.

What are some themes or narratives you’ve been working with recently in your music? Pocket change, nothing but time, cheese, things that happen every once in while…..

Do you have anything special planned for your Christmas Jam set? As a rogue saxophone player at large, I'll be skating in and out of the scene with surgical strike effectiveness that crosses over into the realm of ubiquitous sublime — with the utmost clarity and cosmo-tological consciousness.

Christmas Jam Q&A: Ron Holloway (guest saxophonist)

Xpress: What’s your favorite Christmas song? 
Ron Holloway (guest saxophonist): "Heigh-Ho! (The Dwarfs Marching Song)"

If you could have another Christmas Jam artist cover one of your songs, who would it be and what song would you want them to play? Grace Potter performing "Santa Baby."

Other than playing the festival, is there anything else you’re excited about doing while you’re in Asheville? Yes – just walking around beautiful, downtown Asheville. I love the vibe and the restaurants there.

What are some themes or narratives you’ve been working with recently in your music? I am a huge fan of early German Expressionist films. I am working on what could be considered the musical/aural equivalent.
 
Do you have anything special planned for your Christmas Jam set? To perform the greatest instrumental solo of my career and blow up at the end of it! People will say: "He went out with a bang!"