Whiteside Live: Portland Cello Project: Under the Mistletoe with Saeeda Wright

December 16th, 2023 @ 7PM

Born out of the relentless winter months of the Pacific Northwest -- where Christmas sweaters adorn even the animal statues -- this holiday concert hits different.

The Cello Project, known for their delightfully dedicated performances of both modern and classical music (and everything in between), invite Saeeda Wright on stage with them to bring a complement of unexpected classical jams to the holiday stage. Expect uniquely jazzy takes on holiday classics from What Child is This and Do You Hear What I Hear, to standards like What Are you Doing for New Years?, bridged with Hannukah medleys and hidden gem classical pieces from Benjamin Britten and renaissance rounds made famous by The Monkees.

Just try to be a scrooge at this concert. We dare you. There’s something for everyone, and all the gifts are tied together by the cello in the unique ways that have made The Cello Project a perennial favorite over the last decade.

Special Guest Saeeda Wright has been seen on stages backing Prince (as a member of his New Power Generation), and she has performed with gospel music greats Jessica Reedy, Cece Winans, Crystal Akin, JJ Harrison and Yvette Williams. She is regularly featured heating up the stage in The Cello Project’s Purple Reign programs, and The Cello Project is honored to have her continue their relationship, warming up some wonderful wintertime favorites on this program as well as a new album — also called Under the Mistletoe with Saeeda Wright — due out in November 2023.