Compaq Big Band - A Big Band Christmas
City Winery Boston presents Compaq Big Band live on Sunday, Dec 21st at 3pm and 7:30pm. See all Compaq Big Band dates and times(opens in a new tab).
The exciting 19-piece Compaq Big Band returns to City Winery with two very special holiday shows, just in time for Christmas. These events will be filled with seasonal favorites like you’ve never heard them before - powerful, inspirational, and just plain fun. Even the biggest Grinch can’t help but get in the Christmas spirit! The shows will feature the band’s Special Guest Vocalist, jazz sensation Anaïs Reno from New York City, singing many great arrangements as performed by the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald.
The band always features the power of 14 horns plus a cookin’ rhythm section, and showcases top jazz vocalists from the Greater Boston and New York City areas. The styles you’ll hear on December 21st run the gamut from terrific swing and jazz treatments of holiday classics to very UNtraditional variations of jazz rock, ballad, samba and jazz waltz – all high-energy arrangements from such greats as Gordon Goodwin, Count Basie, Tom Kubis, Sammy Nestico, and Bob Curnow.
Anaïs Reno’s love affair with the Great American Songbook began at age ten, and her rise to prominence in the hugely competitive jazz scene that is NYC with shows at Birdland in Times Square starting when she was thirteen. During her years at famed Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan, and then while earning her Bachelor of Arts in vocal jazz performance from Purchase College (SUNY Purchase) in New York in May 2025 (as an Ella Fitzgerald Scholar), her career skyrocketed with performances across the United States and in the United Kingdom.
She has performed at storied venues such as Rose Hall at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The Django, and Feinstein's 54 Below, plus Seneca One Auditorium in Buffalo, NY for International Jazz Day, as well as singing her own compositions with the NY Philharmonic in David Geffen Hall (Lincoln Center). Anaïs has also sung at Madison Square Garden, and at the Caramoor Jazz Festival. She delivered a stunning rendition of “America The Beautiful” on national television at Citi Field for the New York Mets/Yankees game on the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
In addition to Birdland, Anaïs appears regularly at iconic music venues – many times selling out - such as Dizzy’s Club (Jazz at Lincoln Center, NYC) , Chris’ Jazz Club in Philadelphia, PA, the Blue Strawberry in St. Louis, MO, the Valhalla Boat House Theatre in Lake Tahoe, CA, and both PizzaExpress and Ronnie Scott’s in London. She’s also made two consecutive appearances at the annual Edinburgh Jazz Festival.
Her first album, “Lovesome Thing: Anaïs Reno sings Ellington & Strayhorn”, debuted in 2021, and is a 12-song compilation of 100% Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn collaborations that rose quickly to #6 on the jazz charts. Her second album - “Anaïs Reno at PizzaExpress Live - in London“ - was recorded in Summer 2023 at the club’s trendy Soho flagship location. Her latest studio endeavor, “Lady Of The Lavender Mist”, was released in May 2025 under Club44 Records, featuring legendary guitarist Peter Bernstein, David Wong, and Joe Farnsworth.
The Compaq Big Band is one of the longest continuously operating large-format jazz ensembles in New England. Formed in 1975, the group has entertained hundreds of clients across the region and beyond, impressing enthusiastic crowds large and small at swing dances, gala celebrations, nonprofit fundraisers, music festivals, summer concerts series, historic performing arts centers, and legendary Greater Boston area jazz venues. Their passion is creating a blend of tight ensemble musicianship, top vocalists, an extensive library of hip-but-approachable swing and jazz, and technical show production quality that impresses seasoned big band aficionados while inspiring newcomers to the genre to become avid fans.
Check out www.compaqbigband.com and www.anaisreno.com.
Post-Show Meet & Greet available with Anaïs Reno & select members of Compaq Big Band
Photo Opportunity with Anaïs
Glass of City Winery Bubbles
Dine At Your Show(opens in a new tab)
(opens in a new tab)🍽️ We provide food and beverage service directly to your table in the venue. Or, for an expanded menu and more relaxed experience, arrive early and enjoy a meal in our restaurant before the show. When dining in the restaurant, reservations are encouraged and can be made via Resy starting one month before the show. View Our Concert Dining Menu.(opens in a new tab)
Wine At Your Table(opens in a new tab)
Reserve your preferred wine by filling out this form(opens in a new tab) and have a bottle waiting at your table when you arrive at your show. No more waiting for your first drink! We will save your wine preference and have a bottle at your table for all future shows. When you want to change your wine, come back to this form and update your preference.
2 Item Per Person Minimum
🎶 Kindly note there is a 2 item per person food & beverage minimum in the concert venue. Food and beverages ordered in the restaurant also count towards the minimum.
Become a Vinofile Member(opens in a new tab)
🍷 Members get 48 hour early access to new shows, pay no ticket fees, and earn points to exchange for complimentary tickets. Vinofile Plus members also receive many wine benefits. Add a membership to your cart during checkout to start saving now. Already a member? Make sure you are signed in to access your benefits. Become a Vinofile Member and enjoy the benefits today.(opens in a new tab)
