Trans-Siberian Orchestra Holiday Spectacular at PPG Paints Arena; Club Cafe Hosts Billy Price (Sat., 12/16/23)

1) In 1996, musician/rock band manager Paul O’Neill hit upon the idea that Christmas tunes could be totally progressive and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra was born. The TSO plays holiday music, traditional and originals, with a Rush level of elaboration and technical skill, all of which has racked up millions of album sales. You probably know the band’s wailing, synth-infused version of “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo,” a.k.a. “Carol of the Bells.” It’s one of the most hardcore tracks that DJs pull out every December. Music like this deserves the arena treatment, with a great light show and all, so the TSO has been touring major venues at the holiday season annually. Paul O’Neill passed away from chronic health problems in 2017, and bassist Dave Z (David Zablidowsky) died that year too, in a motor vehicle accident. But the band plays on—surely, as these men would have wished—and the TSO visits PPG Paints Arena for matinee and evening performances, with a cast of dozens performing. The show is billed as The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (R.H./M.V.) 

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra performing at the Hershey Giant Center in 2004. (photo: Matt, TSO, and Wikipedia)

2) Pittsburgh blues/soul/rock legend Billy Price is celebrating 50+ years as a performer in the music industry. Price was nominated for the 2023 BMA (Blues Music Awards) for Soul Blues Male Artist award. Price cut his teeth as a vocalist for the late, great guitarist Roy Buchanan. He then started Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band, best known for songs like “Eldorado Cafe” and “Lickin’ Stick” and albums like Free At Last. In addition to Price, the band featured legendary musicians such as the late Glenn Pavone, Eric Leeds, and others. He’s also leads the Billy Price Band and works as a solo artist. Price’s album with the late Chicago soul singer Otis Clay, This Time for Real, won a 2016 Blues Music Award. His next two albums, Reckoning and Dog Eat Dog were both nominated for Blues Music Awards. And in 2020 Price was nominated for BMA’s Best Male Soul Blues Artist. If all those accolades are not enough, he was also inducted into the Pittsburgh Rock Legends Hall in 2016. Price released a new 3-CD compilation, 50+Years of Soul, on Get Hip Recordings last September and is working on a new album in Los Angeles that’s due out in coming months. 8 p.m. Club Cafe, 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side. (R.H.)

Legendary blues and soul singer Billy Price. (photo: David Aschkenas)

3) Chatham Baroque will present their holiday program, Alegría: Music of Baroque Spain and The Americas highlighting Baroque
Christmas music from Spain and Latin America dating back to the 16th and 18th centuries. The concerts, which will be sung in Spanish will take place today (7:30 p.m.) at Hicks Memorial Chapel on the campus of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and tomorrow (2:30 p.m.) at Levy Hall in the historic Rodef Shalom Synagogue.

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