Brendan Bayliss Keeps Holiday Tradition Going With Guest-Filled Chicago Benefit

Brendan Bayliss will continue his annual holiday concert tradition with a guest-filled benefit at Chicago’s Park West on Saturday, December 19. Billed as Brendan Bayliss & A Few Of His Friends, the 2026 edition will support The People’s Music School, which provides tuition-free music education to Chicago children.

The Umphrey’s McGee guitarist will be joined by bandmate Andy Farag, billed as “Cousin Eli,” along with Duane Trucks, Jason Narducy, Allie Kral, Jennifer Hartswick, Mike Racky, Pat Muldoon and members of moe.. The participating moe. musicians have not been specified.

Bayliss previously hosted 23 annual holiday concerts with former UM guitarist Jake Cinninger. This year’s benefit will be the first since Cinninger departed Umphrey’s McGee in July after 26 years with the band.

The shows have mixed stripped-down Umphrey’s material, covers and holiday favorites with special guests. At the pair’s 22nd annual holiday concert in 2024, Farag, Racky and The Disco Biscuits keyboardist Aron Magner joined the festivities. A $16,000 check was presented to The People’s Music School at the start of that evening.

Tickets go on sale Friday, October 23 at 10 a.m. CT.