Oliver Swain has been collecting traditional Christmas and Holiday Spirituals for a special presentation along with new original works to be performed at Hermann's Jazz Club December 7th. 'As a Folklorist I'm constantly researching overlooked corners of our heritage. A few years ago I happened upon a few collections of holiday music that were shockingly bluesy and rhythmically complex while being more serious about the spiritual opportunities afforded us at this time of year within the story of the birth of Jesus'. This show is a Santa and sleigh bell free performance and will feature many of Victoria's top Roots and Jazz musicians at Victoria's only Cabaret Night Club, Hermann's. These songs are primarily of African-American origin and focus on elements of the story of the birth of Christ such as the poverty Jesus was born into and the fact that his family was along way from home.
To an person of African decent in America these elements must have been particularly evocative and in many ways form the basis of the universality of the story of Christ. And they are unbelievably groovy tunes. Along with the Christmas Spirituals Oliver will be presenting new material to be recorded this winter with co-producer Adrian Dolan starting this December.