Otherwise, the pianists set the pace and tone, each performing two selections. Playing a five-octave marimba, Samuels didn't collaborate with conguero Escovedo so much as converse with him when the duo imaginatively rearranged "Sleigh Bells." What unfolded was a holiday celebration of contrasts and inventiveness, even more so than usual, thanks to the inspired pairing of percussionists Dave Samuels and Pete Escovedo.
Still, the capacity crowd was greeted by some welcome news: a surprise cameo by trombonist Slide Hampton and an appearance by Billy Taylor, who came out of retirement to help compensate for Jones's no-show and fill out a bill featuring fellow pianists Hilton Ruiz, Marcia Ball and Daniela Schachter.
Hank Jones, the renowned jazz elder, was no longer on the program due to what the venue's press office later called "a scheduling conflict."
National Public Radio's 16th annual edition of "A Jazz Piano Christmas," presented at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater on Friday night, hit a sour note before the curtain went up.
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