December Swings In December, 2001, the Pasadena Jazz Institute presented four holiday tribute concerts at the Playhouse Balcony Theatre in Pasadena, titled "December Swings". An Evening of Gershwin This outstanding tribute featured pianist Christopher Dawson performing classic Gershwin along with the rising singing star Janice Anderson, as well as celebrated bassist Darek Oles and renowned drummers Jack LeCompte and Joe LaBarbera. Kind of Blue Trumpet great Nolan Shaheed paid tribute to jazz legend Miles Davis, performing compostions from historic recordings as well as other pieces associated with Davis. Jazz greats Javier Vergara on tenor sax, Zane Musa on alto, bassist John Heard and drummer Lorca Hart joined Shaheed, along with new piano sensation Danny Grissett. Time Out for Christmas Drummer Jack LeCompte brought in an all-star combo in tribute to the artistry of Dave Brubeck. Milcho Leviev on piano, John Whinnery emulating the cool, melodic sounds of Paul Desmond on alto, and the original bassist of the classic Brubeck Quartet, Eugene "the Senator" Wright. Singing and Swinging Vocalists Barbara Morrison and Cheryl Conley saluted great female jazz singers Carmen McCrea, Nancy Wilson, Sara Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald in concert with George Gaffney on piano (who had played with Sara Vaughan), drummer Ron McCurdy (Nancy Wilson) and bassist Tony Dumas (Carmen McCrea, Nancy Wilson and Sarah Vaughan). Tenor sax great Carl Randall joined in the fun.