Jazz Lover - Tomorrow - Saturday - Fox Big Band Christmas at the Ironwood

🎷🎺 Swing into the Festive Season, Jazz Lover! 🎷

Jazz Lover, 🎺 

We're serving up all your holiday favourites, from classics re-imagined with a jazz flair to newer seasonal faves that will get your heart racing. This year we are featuring guest vocalist Malissa Rush, a rising star on the Calgary jazz scene.

This is more than just a concert—it's a warm, intimate holiday experience. Grab a coffee or a cocktail, or have a meal and sit back, and let the 17-piece jazz orchestra transport you.

Don't wait! Last year's show sold out quickly. Click below to guarantee your seats for an unforgettable afternoon of swing and holiday cheer.

📅 Saturday, December 13 at 2:00 PM
📍 Ironwood Stage & Grill
📞 Reservations: 403-269-5581 or [email protected]

Come early, stay late — and let the music take you there.

Malissa Rush is a Calgary-based jazz vocalist and musical theatre performer known for her fresh interpretations of jazz standards, blending modern nuance with classic soul.

Her love for music began early, influenced by her parents’ eclectic taste. Though she explored various genres—including R&B, hip-hop, and electronic music—she found her true passion in jazz, drawing inspiration from legends like Ella Fitzgerald and modern artists like Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox.

Malissa’s journey as a performer started in musical theatre, but after stepping away from singing for several years, she rediscovered her voice through jazz workshops and local performances. She has since performed in musical productions, jazz showcases, and with the vocal group The Extremities. In 2024, she was selected as a top 10 finalist in the National Music Centre’s Mid-Autumn Star singing competition, where she earned 3rd place.

Today, Malissa is the lead vocalist for the jazz ensemble Eh Train and continues to captivate audiences with her dynamic stage presence. She dreams of one day singing with a big band and recording a jazz album.

Under the direction of Brandon Oberhamer, FOX BIG BAND continues to captivate audiences in Calgary, performing at premier venues like the Ironwood Stage and Grill. Following sold-out collaborations with JazzYYC, featuring the sensational Benny Benack III, the band recorded a live CD, set for release this summer. Another packed house at the Ironwood welcomed internationally acclaimed saxophonist Seamus Blake.

With a powerful 13-piece horn section, a full rhythm section, and featured vocalists and guest artists, the band’s modern big band arrangements blend blues, Latin jazz, rock, funk, bebop, fusion, and contemporary styles. Whether roaring with big band energy or delivering an intimate ballad, FOX BIG BAND promises a dynamic experience.

Featuring some of Calgary’s finest jazz musicians, the band showcases masterful solos and tight ensemble playing across a repertoire spanning Pat Metheny, Phil Collins, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, and classic jazz legends like Count Basie, Buddy Rich, and Duke Ellington. Recent performances have paid tribute to Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Miles Davis, and more.

Originally founded in the 1980s by Calgary-based trumpeter, bassist, and arranger Doug Fox, FOX BIG BAND remains a cornerstone of the local jazz scene.