As we head into the winter season, Georgia Straight Jazz Society is happy to host one more of our fabulous big bands when Strathcona Big Band takes the Avalanche stage (275 8th St, Courtenay) at 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, Dec. 5.

Vocalist Amy Lelliot will be backed by the full 17-piece ensemble. It鈥檚 bound to be a great show. If you鈥檙e into seasonal and famous big band music, this is a night you don鈥檛 want to miss.

鈥淲e are really looking forward to the gig on the 5th,鈥� said band director Erin Dwyer. 鈥淲e鈥檒l be playing a wide variety of tunes and styles from swing to fusion, and perhaps most important for this December gig, we will be featuring a portion of Duke Ellington鈥檚 Nutcracker Suite, and other Christmas Classics to break folks into the Christmas season, and featuring the vocals of Amy Lelliot.

鈥淭he Avalanche Bar setting, complete with the terrific reception we always receive in our Courtenay concerts, is certainly going to result in another memorable show.鈥�

This is your opportunity to start early getting into your Christmas music 鈥搇ive music to stir your spirit and warm your soul. Come on down to the Av and discover first-hand why word has got around B.C. and across Canada that Courtenay has the most enviable jazz culture and consistently high-calibre performances.

Admission to this heartwarming evening is $10 for members, $12 for non-members. Visit www.georgiastraightjazz.com to see the calendar of performers scheduled to appear throughout 2020.

Members are advised that 2020 renewal memberships will be for sale at Thursday Night Jazz on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, at $5 for students, $15 for adults and $30 for families. And for general information, the Dee Daniels鈥� Christmas performance on Dec. 19 is completely sold out.