If all you want for Christmas is a great live concert, the Groovin' Higher Orchestra is the answer and they'd prefer not to be wrapped.

"I started the band in 2000, and before that I had been on the road playing various types of music, from rock to Motown," said local musician Rich Wetzel, 52. "Then I decided to settle down here where I lived and play what I enjoyed the most, which was jazz."

Rich Wetzel's Groovin' Higher Orchestra is comprised of musicians from all over the Puget Sound. Some of the musicians have played in the Air Force, Army, Navy bands, respectively, while others have seen the world while playing on cruise ships and with road bands. Yet whatever the past experiences were, they all have one thing in common from recent years: the annual Christmas show.

"Some years back a few friends and I talked about how great it would be to do a big band concert of all holiday jazz tunes, and thus ‘A Big Band Christmas' was born," he shared. "We all love the music and the joy it brings us to be playing."

This year's concert, titled A Stan Kenton Big Band Christmas will take place on Dec. 14 at the Tacoma Community College Performing Arts Auditorium.

"If you think about American holiday Christmas songs, really, the best arrangements and the ones we all remember are the more big band, jazzy tunes," said Wetzel, who has been playing the trumpet for 40 years.

Kenton, for whom the concert is named, was a pianist, composer, and arranger who had a lot of influence over the American jazz orchestra and ranks among Wetzel's favorites. Following in his footsteps, Wetzel will be conducting the orchestra donned in tuxedoes when he is not playing the trumpet.

"The first few years it was done as a dinner show, but the last couple years we have focused on making it a Saturday night concert and an all-ages show so the whole family can come and enjoy the music," he said.

Wetzel's EXPANDED Groovin' Higher Orchestra will play a program that includes a variety of Christmas classics, all with a big band sound; familiar songs include "O Tannenbaum," "Good King Wenceslas," "The Twelve Days of Christmas," "You're A Mean One, Mister Grinch," "Home For The Holidays," "White Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland," among others.

"There will be more vocals this year - all performed by Steve Stefanowicz - than in previous years and some really neat arrangements - such as ‘Sleigh Ride' by Harry Connick Jr.," Wetzel stated.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m.; there will be a 10-minute intermission during the performance. Be aware, the concert often sells the theater out; buying tickets as soon as possible is recommended. Tickets for a Big Band Christmas are available either by calling 800.838.3006 or online. Tickets purchased in advance are $15 (plus a nominal handling fee) and, if available, tickets will be $20 at the door the night of the show.

If you miss the holiday show, Wetzel and the Groovin' Higher Orchestra will also be performing a New Year's Eve show at the Harmon Brewery and Restaurant in downtown Tacoma. The show is appropriate for all ages, admission is free and seating is first come, first serve. The show will start at 9 p.m. and end sometime after midnight.

To see where the band is playing in 2014, go to www.meetup.com/tacomajazz and register with the group to receive updates.

A Stan Kenton Big Band Christmas, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, Tacoma Community College Performing Arts Auditorium, Bldg 2, 6501 S. 19th St., Tacoma, 800.838.3006