Jan. 2, 3 & 4
A Nat King Cole New Year
About This Concert
Enjoy an “Unforgettable” start to 2026 as Byron Stripling, Denzal Sinclaire, and the Houston Symphony Big Band perform the timeless hits of Nat King Cole, along with well-known songs by other jazz legends. Hear the songs you know and L-O-V-E, including “Mona Lisa,” “Nature Boy,” “When I Fall in Love,” “Just One of Those Things,” and more.
Performance does not include the Houston Symphony.

What To Expect?
A fun, festive concert filled with Unforgettable jazz standards you know and L-O-V-E, crooned by one of the world’s preeminent Nat King Cole interpreters, Denzal Sinclaire
Ring in 2026 in style with legendary trumpeter Byron Stripling, who was once a member of the famed Count Basie Orchestra.
This concert shines the spotlight on the Houston Symphony Big Band, comprised of members of the wind, brass, and percussion sections.
Program

The program will be available soon. Please check back later.
Tickets
In-Hall Tickets
Bringing A Group Of 10 Or More? Click Here for Group Sales
Friday, Jan. 2
7:30 P.M. at Jones Hall
Saturday, Jan. 3
7:30 P.M. at Jones Hall
Sunday, Jan. 4
2:00 P.M. at Jones Hall
Livestream Access
Saturday, Jan. 3
7:30 P.M. at Jones Hall

Your Music. Your Season. Your Way.
Pick 3 or more concerts and enjoy big savings with our Pick Your Own Subscriptions. Choose your favorite performances — in-hall or livestream — and save up to 43%. Click Here to Start Saving
Your Music. Your Season. Your Way.
Pick 3 or more concerts and enjoy big savings with our Pick Your Own Subscriptions. Choose your favorite performances — in-hall or livestream — and save up to 43%.
Click Here to Start Saving
Artists

Byron Stripling
conductor, trumpet, and vocalist
View Biography

Denzal Sinclaire
vocalist
View Biography
Sponsors

Title Sponsor

Presenting Sponsor

Holiday Series

Grand Guarantor
Video enhancement of Houston Symphony concerts is made possible by the Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foundation through a special gift celebrating the foundation's 50th anniversary in 2015
Extras
Additional Information
Doors Open:
60 mins. pre-concert
Prelude:
No Prelude
Duration
Approx. 120 mins
Intermission
20 mins.
Age Limit
Age 6+
Visitor Info
Parking and Directions
Learn More >In-Hall Experience
Learn More >Ticket Policies
Learn More >Accessibility
Learn More >You Might Also Like
From Elvis to Fantasia, Nat King Cole to Billy Joel, this is the music you know and love, brought to life like you've never heard it before for a sensational new season of POPS entertainment!
View Full Season
Saturday, Oct. 4–Sunday, Oct. 5
King for a Day: The Music of Elvis

Friday, Oct. 31–Sunday, Nov. 2
From Stage to Screen: Broadway Meets Hollywood

Thursday, Dec. 11–Sunday, Dec. 14
Very Merry POPS

Friday, Jan. 2–Sunday, Jan. 4
A Nat King Cole New Year

Saturday, Jan. 17–Sunday, Jan. 18
Arturo Sandoval: Journey To Freedom

Friday, Feb. 6–Sunday, Feb. 8
Piano Man: The Music of Billy Joel

Friday, Apr. 3–Saturday, Apr. 4
Disney’s Fantasia In Concert

Friday, Apr. 24–Sunday, Apr. 26
Icon: The Voices that Changed Music

Friday, May. 29–Sunday, May. 31
Lights! Camera! Music! 100 Years of Epic Film Scores


Byron Stripling
conductor, trumpet, and vocalist
With a contagious smile and captivating charm, conductor, trumpet virtuoso, singer, and actor Byron Stripling ignites audiences across the globe. He was named principal pops conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 2020 and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in 2024. He also serves as artistic director and conductor of the highly acclaimed Columbus Jazz Orchestra. Byron’s baton has led countless orchestras throughout the United States and Canada, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood and orchestras from San Diego to Sarasota.
Since his Carnegie Hall debut with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops, Byron has become a pops orchestra favorite throughout the country, soloing with more than 100 orchestras around the world. As a soloist with the Boston Pops, Byron has frequently performed under the baton of Keith Lockhart, as well as being the featured soloist on the PBS television special, Evening at Pops, with conductors John Williams and Lockhart.
An accomplished actor and singer, Byron starred in the lead role of the Broadway-bound musical, Satchmo; had a cameo performance in the television movie, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles; and performed in the 42nd Street production of From Second Avenue to Broadway.
Television viewers have enjoyed his work as soloist on the worldwide telecast of the Grammy Awards, commercials, and theme songs. In addition to multiple recordings with his quintet, work with artists from Tony Bennett to Whitney Houston, his prolific recording career includes hundreds of albums with the greatest pops, Broadway, soul, and jazz artists.
Byron earned his stripes as lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra. He has also played and recorded with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, Buck Clayton, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and the GRP All Star Big Band.
Educated at the Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy, one of his greatest joys is to return to both as a guest lecturer.
A resident of Ohio, Byron lives in the country with his wife Alexis, a former dancer, writer, and poet, and their beautiful daughters.


Denzal Sinclaire
vocalist