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Music ensemble Jeff Bordes & Friends returns to the Firehouse Arts Center to showcase their annual holiday performance by bringing the excitement and liveliness to the bandleader’s hometown.
The upcoming “Jeff Bordes & Friends: A Jazzy Christmas” concert is set to take place this Saturday (Dec. 17) at 8 p.m. Pleasanton native Bordes, a composer and trumpet player, will headline the show while supported by his band of musicians.
Bordes told the Weekly that his earliest memory of music is from watching the television show “Sesame Street” — he specifically recalls being drawn to the jazz trumpeter, Dizzy Gillespie.
Throughout his childhood and adolescence, Bordes continued to have significant connections with the music he experienced.
Another time in elementary school, Pleasanton keyboardist Don Lewis performed for Bordes’ fifth grade class to present his “Say Yes to Music” program.
“I remember being awed by the music coming from his speakers. I watched in amazement as his red shoes flew across the bass pedals and was blown away by all of the amazing sounds and music he was able to play as one man,” Bordes recalled. “It was that day I knew I wanted to play music.”
Bordes said that Lewis later went on to become his “godfather of music”.
“He took me under his wings and truly taught me a lot about the performance component of music. He’s joined me on many of these concerts — and he is going to be greatly missed,” Bordes said of Lewis, who passed away last month.
For Bordes, an Amador Valley High School alumnus, returning to the Firehouse holds a special place for him.
“I love bringing this show to the Firehouse. I have family who show up, in addition to old friends, parents of friends and former teachers,” he said. “I always look forward to seeing faces from my childhood in the audience. I love how intimate the theater feels, and the staff have always been absolutely amazing to work with.”
The ensemble has previously showcased an annual holiday performance, with each year taking on a different theme. In the past, Bordes and his band have done a blues Christmas, a New Orleans Christmas, swing Christmas and last year, a funky Christmas. This time, the group will be incorporating New Orleans and swing styles into their performance.
“We’ll also be paying tribute to Don Lewis, who was supposed to be with us for this show,” Bordes said.
His first time doing a holiday show at the Firehouse was in 2011, a time Bordes recalled his musical groups and genres being less centered. After the initial show, he had been asked back the following year.
“My hope is to always bring something new to the audience, especially those that come every year. This year, I have pulled in many of the fan favorites from past shows,” Bordes said.
The 2022 holiday show will see returning musicians Danny Sandoval on tenor sax, Meredith McHenry (another Pleasanton native) on vocals, “Mayor” Ken Cefalo on guitar, Grammy award winning trombonist Mike Rinta, jazz drummer Wally Schnalle and bassist Hunter Van Dam. This year, the group welcomes pianist Steve Carter.
Bordes has plans to return to the Firehouse Arts Center once again in the new year with “Jeff Bordes and Friends’ Mardi Gras Celebration” on Feb. 18.
To find more information about “Jeff Bordes & Friends: A Jazzy Christmas”, visit firehousearts.org.
“Every time I step on stage, I hope to provide the audience an escape from their day, a couple hours to let themselves be moved by the music,” Bordes added. “With these holiday shows, my hope is if the audience isn’t already in the holiday spirit, they will be by the end of the concert.”
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