Tonic Sol-fa Tenor Branches Out in New Holiday Special

Watch Shaun Johnson’s Big Band Experience – The Spirit of the Season Friday, Dec. 20 at 9 p.m. on WV PBS.2

Crooner Shaun Johnson — a founding member of the popular a cappella quartet Tonic Sol-Fa — goes solo in a spirited new holiday special on West Virginia PBS.2

The Emmy®-winning tenor channels Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett in an era-spanning, up-tempo production that includes beloved seasonal staples, pop hits, fan favorites, an original composition, and even a few unexpected numbers.

Shaun Johnson’s Big Band Experience – The Spirit of the Season features the elegantly dressed singer and a seven-member band covering holiday classics “Rocking on Top of the World,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Silver Bells” and “Let It Snow,” as well as Sinatra standards “My Kind of Town,” “That’s Life” and “Can I Steal a Little Love?” Shaun also puts his own stamp on Elvis’ “Blue Christmas,” Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” and Michael Buble’s “Haven’t Met You Yet.”

Shaun’s band features accomplished musicians who have played with Jimmy Dorsey, the Temptations, Aretha Franklin and Johnny Mathis, among other luminaries. They include: Jim Bierma (bass), Jeff Carver (trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals), Aaron Moe (alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet), Steve Pikal (trombone, bass), Sam Reeves (piano, vocals), Dave Stanoch (percussion) and Mark Yannie (tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet).

Taped at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, Burnsville, Minn., Shaun Johnson’s Big Band Experience – The Spirit of the Season features Broadway-style staging and lighting, a visit from Santa himself, and plenty of audience interaction.

Between performances, Shaun reflects on his Midwest upbringing, his humble beginnings in the music industry and his current “day job” with Tonic Sol-fa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pLyHURjaiw#t=12