Holiday Reviews & Articles
Rich Willey: Boptism Christmas
by Jack Bowers
With seasonal jazz albums in rather short supply this year, it is a pleasure to welcome Boptism Christmas, a series of mostly well- known holiday tunes ably performed by multi-instrumentalist Rich Willey and his impressive North Carolina-based octet-plus-one. The “plus one" applies to Tracks 5 and 6, on which Russ Wilson joins the ensemble to sing ("Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer") or play drums ("Little Drummer Boyz"). Wilson sings respectably on a jazzed-up version of “Rudolph," a mega-hit ...
Continue ReadingHoliday Releases From Kait Dunton, Judith Owen, Staci Griesbach, Liz Kennedy, Caity Gyorgy, Lizzie Thomas and Laila Biali
by Mary Foster Conklin
This broadcast celebrates Christmas Eve with women driven holiday releases from Kait Dunton, Judith Owen, Staci Griesbach, Liz Kennedy, Caity Gyorgy, Lizzie Thomas and Laila Biali plus birthday shoutouts to Sue Maskaleris, among others. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music so they can continue to comfort, distract, provoke and remind the world that A Woman's Place is in the Groove.Playlist Kait Dunton “The Little Funky Drummer Boy" from A Very ...
Continue ReadingJoshua Bowlus: Sleigh Ride
by La-Faithia White
Sleigh Ride is a modern jazz Christmas gift from pianist and composer Joshua Bowlus which will brighten the holiday season. Joshua performs as the bandleader for his own trio and quartet. The thirteen-track album features long-time friends and musical collaborators Linda Cole on vocals, Juan Rollan on tenor sax, Stan Piper on bass and Ben Adkins on drums. Bowlus collaborates regularly with vocalist Linda Cole, a niece of Nat King Cole and a member of his family dynasty.
Continue ReadingThe Christmas Show with Norah Jones and Mars Williams
by Jerome Wilson
This holiday show features Christmas-related jazz, some of it warm and cozy, some of it anything but. Artists heard include Norah Jones, Mars Williams, Benny Goodman, 3D Jazz Trio, and John Coltrane. Playlist Jerry Granelli Trio “Christmas Time Is Here" from The Jerry Granelli Trio Plays Vince Guaraldi and Mose Allison (RareNoise) 00:00 Host Speaks 4:23 3D Jazz Trio “I Wonder As I Wander" from Christmas in 3D (Self-Produced) 4:51 George Gee Swing Orchestra “God Rest Ye Merry ...
Continue ReadingBah Humbug, Weather Music, Stocking Stuffer Singles
by David Brown
Personally, I do not celebrate Christmas. But for this week's show, I figured I'd get in the spirit and sprinkle a few offbeat holiday tunes into the mix. We start off with a Latin set with Pete Rugolo and His Orchestra's “Jingle Bells Mambo" followed by Herman's Heat and Puente's Beat; then a set of meteorological musings from Bill Orcutt and Red Garland; we'll then check out Monk's family Christmas work “A Merrier Christmas." The show will continue with a ...
Continue ReadingJoão Bosco: O Canto da Terra por um Fio
by Katchie Cartwright
Released just before the 2023 solstice (winter in the US, summer south of the Equator), João Bosco's stunning “O Canto da Terra por um Fio" (The Corner of the Earth by a Thread) adds a global call for godly and human intervention to the season's more traditional holiday fare. The piece is the first single of a project to be released in mid-2024. The lyric speaks of a great river that sees its life hanging by a thread, that feels ...
Continue ReadingDave Brubeck: A Dave Brubeck Christmas
by Mark Sullivan
This was Dave Brubeck's fourth album of unaccompanied solo piano, originally released on Telarc in 1996. As the title implies, Brubeck Plays Brubeck (Columbia, 1956) was devoted to original music and sketches. But all of the others mainly featured the pianist interpreting other people's compositions; in this case, mainly brief treatments of traditional Christmas music and popular standards. Brubeck was after a particular atmosphere: his liner notes describe music as an essential part of Christmas celebrations in his family, with ...
Continue ReadingMichael Leonhart Orchestra: Silent Night
by Ludovico Granvassu
Conceptually, I find holiday music puzzling. How can it be that, year after year, it keeps being churned out? Even by jazz musicians, who are usually not driven by commercial considerations? Then why not spring-break albums? Or something more meaningful like World Oceans Day jazz music? Or Martin Luther King day songs? I presume that holiday music represents the ultimate challenge to the creative-minded artist: “how can I bring excitement, new life, and my own stamp, to a ...
Continue ReadingNew Releases Plus Holiday Music, Birthday Shoutouts, Grammy Nominees & More
by Mary Foster Conklin
This broadcast begins the holidays with music of the season from John Paul McGee and Hendrik Meurkens new releases from Karen Hammack, The Airmen of Note, Russ Lorenson and Margot Sergent, more nods to Grammy nominees plus birthday shoutouts to Judy Carmichael, Rebecca Coupe Franks, Ethel Ennis, Sylvia Syms, Melissa Aldana, June Christy, Maria Schneider and Tina Turner, among others. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by seeing them live and online. Purchase their music so ...
Continue ReadingCelebrate Christmas With A Jazz Soundtrack
by DIG 9000
When it comes to creating the perfect ambiance for the holiday season, nothing quite matches the smooth, soulful sounds of jazz. Whether you're hosting a festive gathering or simply unwinding at home, a Christmas jazz album can elevate the atmosphere and infuse your celebrations with a touch of sophistication and warmth. The Sound of Christmas From the iconic classics to contemporary renditions, Christmas jazz albums capture the essence of the season, blending the timeless melodies of beloved carols ...
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