Maria DeSantis entertains her community.
Maria DeSantis, her fantastic orchestra and a steady line of special guest performers know how to rekindle the holiday spirit,
A joyous crowd drank in 25 holiday selections from the Syracuse ensemble Sunday night at the Landmark Theatre, moving the Christmas-show string started by orchestra founder Mario DeSantis to an amazing 77 years.
Maria took over leadership of the orchestra her father founded in 1947 when he passed at the age of 91 in 2020.
With longtime singer Keith Condon still at her side, and veteran musician Joe Riposo maintaining his bedrock of style and substance, every holiday piece was a delight.
Quite a cast.
As the two-plus hours of holiday music played out so stylishly on stage, the warm feelings of true familiarity and neighborhood camaraderie washed down and out over the audience.
The vocalists who shared the spotlight all carried their genre with top style and class.
The jazz of Ronnie Leigh? Blues of Joe Whiting? Pop of Gary Branch? Booming operatic tones of Nick Blaney? Versatile modern touches of Michael Ranalli? All worked wonderfully. Adding to the family connection was the strong vocal work of Brianna Bengert, Condon’s daughter.
Another family connection that won hearts was the string combo of Loren and LJ Barrigar. The father and son guitarists raised goosebumps with their work with Whiting and during a breath-taking instrumental with fellow string master Joe Davoli.
Jimmy Cox helped steady them all with Mario DeSantis’ position behind the keyboard, and Jimmy Johns worked his magic on the drum set.
Yes, all of the musicians added greatly to the holiday cheer: Joe Ferlo on guitar, Peter Chwazik on bass, Brian Scherer on sax and flue, Mike Dubaniewicz on sax, clarinet and flute; Paul DiPastena on sax and clarinet, Mark Anderson and Dave DiGennaro on trombone, Pat Carney on lead trumpet, and Tony Godoy and Bill Crist on trumpet.
A standing ovation gave thanks and sent everybody out into the wet night in an elevated holiday mood.
Mark Bialczak 
A Christmas concert! How festive!
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Now we’re really ready for the holiday, Nance.
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Bravo! I love Maria and all the good people you mentioned. Their Christmas show was always an annual treat I looked forward to. And I must tell you, Mark, your review reminds me of those great articles you wrote for the daily… you still got it!
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Thanks, Mike. So many memories came back to me at the shows … including the great things you did with your annual CDs and live shows!
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Thanks Mark! And on top of all that world class talent, they are the nicest people, our neighbors and our friends.
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Concerts like this certainly enhance the Holiday spirit and feeling, and it is nice when people take time out from their busyness this time of year to sit down and treat themselves to an event like this. Sounds wonderful.
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A good time was had by many for sure, Bruce!
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What a treat. I did search for more about the orchestra and found one youtube.
The seasonal music always warms our hearts and spirits.
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Fortunately, the orchestra plays around my area throughout the year, ladysighs. I’ll attempt to attend the outdoor show this summer season and get close enough for a good video to post on youtube and here.
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That would be great! I plan to still be here.
Do you already have a youtube channel?
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I do have a youtube channel, ladysighs.
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Oh, I found you. Will have to check out a few. 🙂
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this sounds like such a wonderful, joyful event!
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I’m so glad our community has these talented people, Beth.
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