The Rob Mathes Holiday Concert, a beloved annual tradition, is set to return to The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College for three unforgettable performances this December. Shows will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday, December 20, and Saturday, December 21, with a special matinee performance at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 22. Tickets are available at artscenter.org, priced at $40, $65, and $85, or $150 for VIP tickets (which include backstage access) through Food Rescue US – Fairfield County at foodrescue.us/fairfield-county. A portion of the VIP ticket price is tax-deductible.
Each year, Rob Mathes and his Holiday Concerts are renowned for their unique take on holiday classics. The performances feature a blend of Rob’s introspective singer-songwriter pop with strong jazz and blues overtones, along with original holiday songs and classics infused with his signature style. Joining Rob on stage is his all-star band, which includes Will Lee on bass, Billy Masters on guitar, Gunnar Olsen on drums, Rick Knutsen on keyboard, and an incredible horn section featuring Jeff Kievit, Tony Kadleck, Andy Snitzer, Aaron Heick, Mike Davis, and Jeff Nelson. R&B singers James “D Train” Williams and Vaneese Thomas are also fan favorites, complemented by the “Choir of Saints & Friends,” who bring the holiday spirit to many of the songs.
A celebrated arranger, composer, producer, director, and Emmy-winning, Grammy-nominated musician, Rob Mathes has been performing his holiday concerts for 30 years. These shows have become a cherished tradition in the New York City/Connecticut area, much to the delight of his devoted fans.
Rob Mathes has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Sting, Elvis Costello, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Beck, Bettye LaVette, Bonnie Raitt, Butch Walker, Carly Simon, Cyndi Lauper, Eliane Elias, Elton John, Fall Out Boy, George Michael, Ghostface Killah, Hall and Oates, Harry Connick Jr., Jay-Z, Lenny Kravitz, Lou Reed, Luciano Pavarotti, Marc Anthony, Melissa Errico, Natalie Cole, Mary J. Blige, Panic! At The Disco, Rascal Flatts, Ray Charles, Rod Stewart, Sade, Rufus Wainwright, Chris Botti, Lady Gaga, Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, Train, Vanessa Williams, and many more.
This year, Rob Mathes worked on a series of symphonic concerts with Sting and the Philadelphia Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Florida Orchestra. He also produced Melissa Errico’s Sondheim in the City album, which received rave reviews, and collaborated on projects with Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello, whose new show Face in the Crowd premiered in London. Additionally, Rob musically directed the MusiCares Artist of the Year event honoring Bon Jovi, featuring performances by Bruce Springsteen, Melissa Etheridge, Jelly Roll, Shania Twain, Lainey Wilson, Larkin Poe, Jason Isbell, Train, and Brandy Clark. He also directed the Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards, honoring Steely Dan, Timbaland, and R.E.M., who reunited to perform for the first time in years. Rob teaches songwriting at BerkleeNYC and has been a guest performer at Christ Church this fall for a program called “Joyful Noise.”
Despite his packed schedule, Rob Mathes returns each December to deliver his signature holiday concert, a must-see event synonymous with the festive season. In addition to world-class music, Rob is committed to supporting local nonprofits. For the fourth consecutive year, his concert benefits Food Rescue US – Fairfield County, an organization dedicated to eliminating hunger and food waste. VIP tickets, available through Food Rescue US, offer an exclusive concert experience with seats in the first two rows, a backstage pass, and an opportunity to meet Rob Mathes after the show. VIP tickets are priced at $150, with a portion of the ticket tax-deductible.
Regular tickets, priced at $40, $65, and $85, can be purchased through The Performing Arts Center Box Office at artscenter.org. Don’t miss this extraordinary musical celebration that promises to make your holiday season unforgettable!