2011 Holiday Selections

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O's Notes: This is a warm trip through the traditional Holiday ballads featuring the piano mastery of Geri Allen. Most of the music is solo piano but there are infusions of voice and minor instrumental accompaniment along the way that add color and depth. Geri's percussive attack on the keys for "Little Drummer Boy" is spot on and all of her arrangements are unique making this CD easy to enjoy.

O's Notes: Elisabeth is singing with a solid quartet behind her. Together they transform Holiday music into enjoyable jazz tunes. Guitarist Axel Fischbacker makes a strong statement on "In Notte Placido" along with Walter Fischbacker (p). Both of them lent a hand with these arrangements. We enjoyed the swinging calypso beats of "Potpourri De Navidad" and the peacefulness of "Gläna Över Jö Och Strand". Lohninger sings the songs in nine different languages capturing a taste of many cultures. Altogether this is a strong Christmas statement, worthy of inclusion. In your Holiday mix for sure.

O's Notes: The jazz pianist and patriarch Ellis Marsalis teams up with his son, producer Jason (d, perc, vibes) to bring a taste of New Orleans to the traditional Holiday music. They easily infuse a marching beat into "The Little Drummer Boy" and a playful groove on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". We also liked their arrangement of "Winter Wonderland with a strong solo from bassist Bill Huntington. They balance the set with two warm vocals the first is "A Child Is Born" featuring Cynthia Liggins Thomas. Johnaye Kendrick follows later in the set with "Christmas Joy". There is a lot to enjoy among these 20 tracks. Ellis swings X-Mas into a jazzy affair!

O's Notes: Chris Bauer plays the harmonica and delivers an unusual take on the Holiday standards that we know and love. He is backed by a core quartet with Glenn McClelland (keyboards), Chris Zimmer (g), Matt Parrish (b) and Dave Mohn (d). The tunes are all upbeat and the harmonica melodies make it stand out. Our favorites here are "I'll be Home For Christmas", "Christmastime Is Here", the swinging "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" featuring Rob Paparozzi on the mic.

O's Notes: This is a swinging set of three swinging jovial Holiday classics featuring vocals from Lynn DiMenna and Bob Spiotto. They hit the spot on "Baby It's Cold outside trading off on the lyrics in a complimentary fashion with strings behind them. Then leave us in good spirits with "Little Jack Frost Get Lost". This is a brief but Jolly set!

O's Notes: Ranee Lee puts her heart and soul into the Holidays with A Celebration in Time. Talented musicians including pianist Oliver Jones back her. They perform in various settings from duo to septet and with the power and grace of the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir led by Trevor W. Payne. This is a warm set.

O's Notes: Our First Christmas was recorded in the early 1990s marrying the Broadway vocals of Cynthia Crane with Mike Renzi's jazzy piano. They touch on eleven classics all in a romantic mood that will tickle young couples and rejuvenate others through the season's activities. Highlights are "Once In a Year Miracle" and "Christmas Morning".

O's Notes: Bradley places his flute amidst a dozen Holiday classics. To differentiate him from the abundance of Christmas music the arrangements are all tilted towards Latin and Brazilian jazz though there are a few pop jazz numbers such as his arrangement of "Angels We Have Heard On High". We enjoyed the calypso beats of "Winter Wonderland" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". The mood is light and the approach works well for a change of pace.

O's Notes: Vibrant jazz vocalist Nicole Henry takes the stage in Tokyo, Japan for this live recording of Holiday music. She makes it special with unique jazzy arrangements cast in her sweet spot. The accompaniment is a trio with Pete Wallace (p), James McCoy (b) and David Chiverton (d). The program includes nine classics highlighted by "My Favorite Things" and the bluesy "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water".

O's Notes: This is Daniel's second Christmas CD, a collection of twelve classics. He is the featured vocalist in front of an orchestra arranged and conducted by John Tate. The rhythm section is Des Moore (g), James Blennerhassett (b), John Ryan (p) and Ray McLaughlin (p). Among the best are "O Come All Ye Faithful” and "O Holy Night". They are performed in their traditional splendor with a country & western bent.