By Gary Wien
originally published: 12/20/2012
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Every year I'm simply amazed at the amount of talented musicians in the Asbury Park area. Events like Cook Smith's Annual Winter Solstice Show help bring otherwise overlooked artists to the forefront. On Wednesday, December 19, the annual event returned with over 30 different artists performing holiday tunes in a rapidly moving show at the Saint in Asbury Park. While some of the artists were well known veterans of the local scene, many were artists just starting out or open mic regulars getting the rare opportunity for a true stage performance.
The Annual Solstice Show always features a great blend mix of traditional chestnuts, Christmas rarities, and the occasional original. It's one of those wonderful holiday traditions that could only happen in a music scene as special as Asbury Park. And, of course, in the spirit of the season all proceeds went to benefit the Atonement Lutheran Church Food Bank. Great music for a great cause; it doesn't get any better than that.
"Is there a drink discount, I'm playing tonight," was overheard by a musician at the bar. "Everyone here is playing tonight," was the reply. At one point Cook could be heard saying from the stage, "we've got like 37 guitars up here... It's like the 38 Special Christmas Special."
The Annual Winter Solstice show is kind of like a smaller version of the Asbury Music Awards in the way that wherever you turn you bump into a musician. More than a hundred people attended the show, which featured a house band consisting of Matt Wade on Keys, Danny Coleman on drums, Fred Doward on bass, and Jim Sickles on Percussion. Classic Christmas videos like A Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer played behind the stage as artist after artist came on to perform their favorite holiday tune. While Cook was running around all night, keeping the performances moving as close to schedule as possible, Brenda Wirth and Diana Kloza were busy ensuring that there was enough food for everyone. As is usually the case, Brenda spent several hours cooking for the show and put in enough overtime to deserve her own Asbury Music Award.
Performers included names like Michael Brett, The Wag, Matt Kay, Sibling Rivalry, Moon Motel, C.M. Smith, Jenny Woods, Peter Prasa, Laura Crisci, and Bobby Strange.
Highlights of the night for me included the incredibly talented and beautiful trio of Jerzy Jung, Cat London, and Deirdre Forrest on "Winter Song". Having all three share vocals for one number is simply amazing. Lo Kloza's powerful pipes alongside Matt Wade's almost Schroeder-like keyboard made "O Holy Night" something special as well. Mitch Stevens and Sondra Huth did a great version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and Don Lee absolutely killed with his solo take on "You're A Mean One Mister Grinch". Chuck Lambert brought out sharp guitar and sax solos for "Merry Christmas Baby", while Cook took lead vocals for the modern classic, "Fairytale of NYC". But, for me, nothing can top those first few moments when I realize I'm hearing the opening chords to John Lennon's "(Happy Xmas) War Is Over". That's my all-time favorite Christmas tune and always puts me into the right frame of mind for the season. No matter what your favorite holiday tunes are, you're bound to hear a few of them each year during this show.
If you're looking for a great way to pass the time just before the holidays, this is the place to be. Thanks again goes out to Scott Stamper and the Saint for allowing shows like this to exist in town.
Photo of Cook Smith, courtesy of Bob Yellen.
About the author:
Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of
Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and
Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station
The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at
lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at
[email protected].
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Joe Russo's Almost Dead
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With Special Guest Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe. Tony Award-nominated actress Betsy Wolfe is currently starring as Audrey in the acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, following her recent Broadway run as Madeline Ashton in the hit musical Death Becomes Her. She previously originated the title role in Joy, the new musical inspired by inventor Joy Mangano, and earned a 2023 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her celebrated performance as Anne Hathaway in & Juliet. Other Broadway credits include starring as Jenna in Waitress, Cordelia in the acclaimed revival of Falsettos, Bullets Over Broadway, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Everyday Rapture, and 110 in the Shade, as well as her critically acclaimed performance as Cathy in the Off-Broadway revival of The Last Five Years. Wolfe made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Die Fledermaus and has appeared as a guest artist with more than 65 symphony, pops, and philharmonic orchestras worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra, with performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her screen credits include First One In, Estella Scrooge, CBS’s Instinct, and the film adaptation of The Last Five Years. Wolfe is also the co-founder of BroadwayEvolved, the acclaimed musical theatre training program she launched in 2018 to train and mentor the next generation of theatre artists.
A limited number of early access tickets for McCarter Director’s Circle members and members of the Museum’s Partner Circle are available, on sale Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM. General public on sale begins Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Please be aware there is no public drop-off or parking at the Museum. For visitors with mobility needs, please contact the Museum at least three business days in advance of your visit to request special access to the Museum via Elm Drive. Call 609-258-3788 and select option 1 to speak to a visitor services staff member, or email Louise Barrett at [email protected].
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EVENT PREVIEWS
State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band was formed in Brooklyn, NY in 2013. While they are a Grateful Dead cover band, they are known more for interpreting songs by the Dead rather than attempting to replicate the band's work.
NJPAC presents Gregory Porter with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell
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Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:30pm. Griffin House is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller who has been making records for over 20 years.
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(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- One of classic rock's most iconic bands, KANSAS, will perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner, and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. A limited number of tickets remain.
NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.
Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday
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Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell
(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither
(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.
