Singing Christmas in Chicago with Jackson Jay Kidder and Lucy Smith

Singing Christmas in Chicago with Jackson Jay Kidder and Lucy Smith

Date: Thursday, December 17th, 2026

Doors: 5:00PM to Venue | 7:00PM to Sanctuary

Showtime: 7:30PM

Tickets:

Advanced - $25 (+$5.13 fees, including tax)

Day of Show - $30 (+$6.57 fees, including tax)

VIP Table for 2 - $80 (+$14.76 fees, including tax)

VIP Table for 4 - $160 (+$17.16 fees, including tax)

VIP tables include admission for 2 or 4 people and a reserved table close to the stage

‘Service charges apply to ALL ticket purchases (online and box office)’ - Credit card only at door

About:

Jackson and Lucy are excited to share the stage for this special evening at Epiphany. It will be the first time that they will be coheadlining a bill and collaborating on a setlist. In 2023, Jackson recorded and released “Swept in Snow” (lead single “Christmas in Chicago”), a straight-ahead jazz album filled with fresh takes on Christmas classics as well as some original holiday tunes from Jackson’s catalog. Lucy's multi-genre holiday album, “Singing Christmas”, ranked No. 1 on the Americana Charts in January of 2023. Howard Reich (Chicago Tribune) wrote “the austere beauty of her version of “Silent Night” …and the imploring quality of her singing in “Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow…(is) a testament to what the holiday signifies." We hope you’ll join us for this performance!

Band members:

Jackson Jay Kidder, vocals & bass

Lucy Smith, vocals

Doug Ferdinand, piano

Juan Pastor, drums

Greg Ward II, alto saxophone

About Jackson Jay Kidder:

Jackson Jay Kidder is an active singer/songwriter and bassist on the Chicago music scene. Jackson is known for his powerfully warm vocal style, poetic lyrics, and a deep pocket of groove at the foundation. Jackson has had the pleasure of backing up many local Chicago acts and touring nationally on bass. Since the pandemic, Jackson made the switch from sideman to frontman- merging a personal dream with community support. He performs regularly throughout the city, and is also featured in a full-length interview on Vocalo Radio’s website. In 2023, Jackson recorded and released ‘Swept in Snow’ (lead single ‘Christmas in Chicago’)- a straight-ahead jazz album filled with fresh takes on Christmas classics as well as some original holiday tunes from Jackson’s catalog. The release party at Epiphany that December was nearly sold out- get your tickets now to reserve your seat as Jackson brings his Christmas set back to the Sanctuary at Epiphany for the first time in 3 years. The album is also now available on vinyl. Stay up to date with Jackson on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @jacksonjkidder.

About Lucy Smith:

Lucy Smith is an award-winning singer, composer, bandleader, cultural programmer, and producer whose quartet/quintet is a dynamic part of Chicago’s music scene. She was born and raised in the Englewood community on Chicago’s South Side. Her musical collaborations include works for theatre, film, and spoken word productions. She leads myriad combinations of musicians exploring traditional jazz, blues, gospel, and other popular music. Her project, Autumn in Augusta, a folk and soul-fused tribute to her mother, was featured at the Chicago Jazz Festival. Lucy works collaboratively with Chicago media personality, Cheryl Corley, on “edutainment” projects that combine music, history and spoken word. They include: America: Songs and Stories of Protest and Freedom; Chicago Bound: The Great Migration of the Blues; Chicago’s Soul: The Words and Music of Gwendolyn Brooks and Curtis Mayfield; and Shout OUT: A Tribute to Gays in Gospel Music. Lucy worked for eight years as the music director for the “Jazz at Four” service at Chicago's Fourth Presbyterian, where she created a new jazz-infused paradigm for worship. In 2025, Lucy received the Black Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music from the Black Arts and Culture Alliance of Chicago. https://lucysmithjazz.com/ @lucysmithjazz

Golden Hour at Epiphany: …