Jesse Peters promises not to bring a "cheesy" Christmas concert to his Coquitlam audience next week.
Rather, his show will include jazz-inspired original and cover seasonal songs - some of them from his new holiday album, I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm, which will be released on Sunday - as well as more traditional tunes courtesy of Celtic fiddler Lizzy Hoyt.
The Calgary-based crooner and pianist said December can sometimes be an easy time for entertainers "to just dial it in" but, to break away from stale performances, "you have to really dedicate yourself to the material and go in with fresh ears and a different mindset for each show," he said.
"You have to bring that passion to each experience."
Next month, Peters has a few dates leading up to Christmas, with three stops in Alberta and two in B.C., including at the Evergreen Cultural Centre next Friday.
His Coquitlam concert will be the biggest city he'll play in December.
Still, Peters said he likes touring the smaller towns. "They're a blast because they really get behind the shows," he said. "The houses are usually full and there is a sense of familiarity to them. They tend to know each other and are comfortable - and that helps to bring them into the musical experience."
Strings and Swing, Our Favourite Things runs Friday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam). Tickets at $35/$30/$15 are available by calling the box office at 604-927-6555 or visiting evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
