A VERY TORMÉ CHRISTMAS / TORMÉ FOR THE HOLIDAYS
“A vocalist who is an evolution of Hollywood’s greatest era, James Tormé is known for his epic holiday concerts. His holiday Pops symphony concerts and small group holiday concerts have been put on with top level orchestras and venues worldwide. Filled with swinging, sophisticated versions of America’s favorite holiday songs (arranged by legends – his own father Mel, John Williams etc.), James performs these shows to packed concert halls yearly. “
Tormé’s family friendly holiday show showcases the multi-award- winning vocalist’s capabilities against a backdrop of legendary symphonic arrangements from the best in the business. , From John William, Angela Morely (née Wally Stott), Bob Krogstad and John Altman to James’ own father Mel Tormé. Tormé it includes previously unheard verses and intros for several of the biggest wintertime classics, written and presented as gifts to Mel Tormé by the original songwriters (Sammy Kahn and Johnny Mercer, to name a couple!) which cannot be heard anywhere else.
Beautifully crafted Broadway-style medleys and rich, grand versions of “Sleigh Ride”, “The Christmas Waltz”, “Winter Wonderland”, “Silver Bells”, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and many more are paired with James’ honey-chocolatey voice to create pure holiday magic. James glues the whole occasion together with witty, touching asides and bits of Hollywood folklore, all gathered while growing up around showbiz royalty.
As the evening builds towards its peak, Tormé satisfies the crowd’s anticipation by telling the story of the day his father Mel and Bob Wells wrote the world’s no.1 holiday song “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on An Open Fire)” and bequeathed it to close friend Nat ‘King’ Cole on the same day. James then sings the song, as a fitting climax to a holiday event that truly has it all.
These concerts have delighted in many formats, having been complimented by everything from stand-alone symphony pieces, to a choral, and even ballet company sections.
An Example Set List:
First Half
Christmas à la Valse
Christmas Ring the Bells
Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Christmas Medley 1
(Jingle Bells/Winter Wonderland/Santa Claus is Coming to Town)
The Christmas Feeling
Sleigh Ride
Christmas Waltz
Good Kind Wenceslas
Reineke Sing-a-long
It Don't Mean A Thing (if it Ain’t Got That Swing)
Second Half
Christmas on Broadway
Bugler’s Holiday
Glow Worm
Just Look Around/Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
(Alfred Burt Featurette)
Caroling Caroling
Some Children See Him
We'll Dress The House
It Happened In Sun Valley
Silver Bells
Christmas Medley 2
(Happy Holidays/Let's Start The NY Right/What Are You Doing NYE?)
Encore - The Christmas Song/Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
Additional Song 1 - Christmastime is Here
Additional Song 2 – We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Sing-a-long)
