A bluesy, schmoozy Christmas

Two dozen clogging Santas, school choristers, sparkle lights and a nearly sold-out Music Hall – it could only be Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops' holiday show. Manhattan Transfer made this an especially warm and fuzzy holiday, as the vocal quartet crooned, swayed and snapped their fingers through an appealing mix of their classic hits and holiday favorites.

With more than three decades of touring, dozens of recordings and as many Grammy Awards to their credit, Manhattan Transfer is known for their close harmonization, seamless blend and sophisticated arrangements that merge jazz and pop. On Friday, they delivered their most energized performances in their two biggest tunes, "Route 66" and a hip "Birdland," the latter featuring an ageless Janis Siegel.

But the evening got off to a bumpy start in "Let it Snow," where the singers – Tim Hauser, Cheryl Bentyne, Siegel and Alan Paul – and maestro Kunzel took a few bars to find the same tempo. "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie," that they’ve recorded with the Pops, was fun and upbeat, but "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," performed with choruses from the School for Creative & Performing Arts, suffered from an off-balance sound system.

It wasn't until "Christmas Love Song," after intermission, that the singers hit their stride in a bluesy, warm Johnny Mandel arrangement, backed by glowing strings. "Snowfall" drifted beautifully to a soft jazz beat and a mellifluous vocal sound, and Mel Torme's "Christmas Song" was given one of the most breathtaking renditions I've ever heard.

Kunzel and the Pops unwrapped a festive package in a glowing Music Hall, joined by the Chorale and Children's Choir from SCPA. The choristers, directed by Laurie Wyant, performed well as backup singers and in their own solos.

But it was their "Medley for Peace in the World" that brought the audience to its feet – and offered a hint of a major Pops announcement in the works. The piece, arranged by the Pops' Julie Spangler and Steven Reineke for a performance "in an important location," said Kunzel, was a medley of pop hits, including "Lean on Me" and "What a Wonderful World." As the audience joined in on "Let There Be Peace on Earth," an Olympic-like parade of international flagbearers came up the aisles.

Shari Poff's electric Cincinnati Studio Cloggers brought down the house in fur-trimmed costumes and Rockette-style choreography to "We Need a Little Christmas," and later as mini-Santas.

The Pops repeats at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. today; and 3 p.m. Sunday in Music Hall. 513-381-3300, or click the link to the right.