New Orleans saxophonist, composer and bandleader Calvin Johnson will change things up when he hosts his Winter Wonder Jam at Trinity Episcopal Church on Sunday, December 20. The event–a fundraiser for the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity–will find Johnson bringing a six-piece string section and a few special guests into the fold.

Artwork by Lyla Clayre.

Johnson’s 10-person backing ensemble will feature pianist Kyle Roussel, bassist Kerry Lewis and drummer Raymond Weber Jr., along with the assorted string players. The group will perform classic Christmas songs with a New Orleans twist, and will be joined by special guests Glen David Andrews and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

Additionally, Johnson will join forces with Trinity Episcopal Church’s Albinas Prizgintas to perform an original composition for saxophone and organ.

“What will set this show apart is that this entire concert is a thank you,” says Johnson. “A thank you to Habitat for their intangible efforts of making homeowners, to Trinity for continuing to be a beacon of the arts in the community, to WWOZ for just being an amazing truly homegrown New Orleans pillar of culture and a thank you to my great city and everyone in it. That’s what makes this show so special. My gratitude drips from my pen and to these string arrangements for all to hear.”

The Winter Wonder Jam will be broadcast live on WWOZ (90.7 FM in the New Orleans area). The show itself will be free and open to the public, though attendees will be able to make donations to Habitat for Humanity.

Calvin Johnson’s Winter Wonder Jam will take place from 5pm to 7pm at Trinity Episcopal Church on Sunday, December 20. More information is available here.