Nate Najar’s Jazz Holiday 2025: A Swinging Night with a Stunning Special Guest
Nate Najar on guitar; Bruce Harris, trumpet; Simon Lasky, piano; John Lamb, bass; Eddie Metz, drums
Nate Najar and a crew of world-class musicians presented the 19th Annual Jazz Holiday at the Palladium Theater on Saturday night. Najar led the ensemble on guitar, joined by Bruce Harris on trumpet; Adrian Cunningham on saxophone, clarinet, and flute; Simon Lasky on piano; Charlie Silva, bass; Eddie Metz, drums; with Daniela Soledade rounding out the group on vocals.
A few songs in, Nate invited legendary bassist John Lamb to the stage. The 92-year-old, who once held down the low end with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, has clearly still got it. He attacked the bass with the energy of a teenager and the authority of a master, leaving the audience buzzing.
The evening flowed effortlessly between swinging arrangements and tender ballads, delivering a sophisticated take on holiday classics. A personal highlight was “Christmas Time Is Here,” featuring Bruce Harris’s absolutely stunning trumpet work—a moment that perfectly captured the warmth and elegance of the night’s jazzy Christmas spirit.
There won’t be a 20th annual show next year. In June, the Palladium will close for 12 months to undergo a $12 million renovation, introducing new seating and updated technology while preserving the venue’s vintage charm. When the theater reopens, hopefully Nate’s Jazz Holiday will return in 2027—bigger, better, and worth the wait.
