Christmas Jam Q & A (compilation of highlights)

Posted on by J.F.

We asked a variety of performers playing at Christmas Jam a few questions. Here’s a sample of those conversations. To read the complete interviews, and for more coverage of the Jam as it unfolds, visit avl.mx/xmasjam.

Xpress: Who are you most excited to jam with at Christmas Jam?

Jerry Depizzo (OAR multi-instrumentalist): I'd be happy to get my face melted off by Warren or taken to school by Scofield.  

Jam by day

In addition to the main events at the U.S. Cellular Center, there’s the “Christmas Jam By Day” lineup of events at other venues around town throughout the weekend featuring local bands.  Here’s the schedule:

Asheville Music Hall (Admission is $10 each day)

Friday Dec. 13
1pm – Johnson's Crossroad
2pm – Cabinet
3pm – Love Canon
4pm – Bobby Miller & The Virginia Daredevils

Saturday Dec. 14
1pm – The Broadcast
2pm – Empire Strikes Brass
3pm – Jeff Sipe & Friends
4pm – Trouble Featuring Woody Wood & Shane Pruitt

Emerald Lounge (Admission is $10)

Saturday Dec. 14
1pm – Red Honey
2pm – Jeff Santiago & Los Gatos Negros
3pm – Velvet Truckstop
4pm – Pierce Edens & The Dirty Work

Jack of the Wood (Admission is $10 each day)

An acoustic jam hosted by Kevn Kinney and on special guests on Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday Dec. 14. The music begins at noon and runs until 5 p.m. each day. At press time, no further details on who will perform were available.

Satellite Gallery Art Show (free)

Christmas Jam Q&A: Jerry Depizzo (OAR multii-nstrumentalist)

Xpress: Who are you most excited to jam with at Christmas Jam?
Jerry Depizzo (OAR multi-instrumentalist): I'd be happy to get my face melted off by Warren or taken to school by Scofield.  

What’s your favorite Christmas song? My favorite is hands down Springsteen’s version of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” I remember it being all over the rock stations during the holidays when I was a kid.  

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? I'd like to hear Grace Potter's take on our tune "Shattered." She'd knock that out. 

Other than playing the festival, is there anything else you’re excited about doing while you’re in Asheville? I love to take a run in every city we go to. It gets me away from the venue and exploring. I love your city's charm.  
 
What are some themes or narratives you’ve been working with recently in your music? Boy meets girl. Boy gets girl. Sh*t gets crazy.

Do you have anything special planned for your Christmas Jam set? You gotta show up to find out.

This art show features rock & roll art and photography from a wide variety of local artists. The opening reception will be Friday, Dec. 13 with complimentary beer from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Proceeds from art sales will be donated to the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.

— J.F.

Other than playing the festival, is there anything else you’re excited about doing while you’re in Asheville?

Depizzo: I love to take a run in every city we go to. It gets me away from the venue and exploring. I love your city's charm.  

Ron Holloway (guest saxophonist): Yes – just walking around beautiful, downtown Asheville. I love the vibe and the restaurants there.

Christmas Jam Q&A: Jeff Sipe (drummer, Aquarium Rescue Unit)

Xpress: Who are you most excited to jam with at Christmas Jam?
Jeff Sipe (drummer, Aquarium Rescue Unit): All my buddies who will be there. Jimmy Herring and Bruce Hampton and I go way back to the 1980s, so we have a lot of great musical memories.

What’s your favorite Christmas song? “Drummer Boy” of course. "Me and My drum.”
 
Other than playing the festival, is there anything else you’re excited about doing while you’re in Asheville? I enjoy the chocolate shops in town. Yum! 

What are some themes or narratives you’ve been working with recently in your music? We are including themes of love and compassion inspired by John Coltrane songs, MLK speeches and Indian music. Also, American Civil war songs and the Appalachian song book.
 
Do you have anything special planned for your Christmas Jam set? Oh yes, but that's a surprise. We hope more people benefit from this year’s donation to the homeless. This is a great opportunity to give.

Jeff Sipe (drummer, Aquarium Rescue Unit): I enjoy the chocolate shops in town. Yum! 

What’s your favorite Christmas song?

Sipe: “Drummer Boy” of course. "Me and My drum.”

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?

Bill Evans (guest saxophonist): There is a song I wrote with Warren, from my last CD, Dragonfly, called “Tit for Tat.” Aquarium Rescue Unit would nail that one.

Depizzo: I'd like to hear Grace Potter's take on our tune "Shattered." She'd knock that out. 

What are some themes or narratives you’ve been working with recently in your music?

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.

Sipe: We are including themes of love and compassion inspired by John Coltrane songs, MLK speeches and Indian music. Also, American Civil war songs and the Appalachian song book.

Evans: Pocket change, nothing but time, cheese, things that happen every once in while…

Do you have anything special planned for your Christmas Jam set?

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!"

Holloway: 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!"

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Webmaster
Mountain Xpress Webmaster Follow me @MXWebTeam
View all posts by Webmaster →

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.