New York. NY -- Christmas classics are reimagined in the capable hands of straight-ahead jazz masters on Merry Christmas. Baby the latest CD from the Durham-based John Brown Quintet. The upbeat rhythms and winding improv solos glide in and around trumpeter Ray Codrington's smooth vocals on a CD that would enliven any tree-trimming celebrate. Frosty the Snowman, Let It Snow. I'll Be Home for Christmas and nine other tunes evoke the traditional Christmas season and spirit. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus is all instrumental.
These are some of the Christmas songs I grew up listening to as a kid. They're part of the fabric that defines Christmas, bandleader John Brown says from his office at Duke University in Durham. North Carolina where he is director of Duke's Jazz Program. These twelve songs emerged as the ones where we could add the most impact to the Christmas jazz repertoire.
The improvisational dialogue in the solo spaces on Merry Christmas. Baby is what to Brown's mind distinguishes the songs from contemporary jazz or other versions of the songs. Happy Birthday. Jesus, a song that may be new to listeners the quintet decided to play as a straight-ahead jazz ballad. It is particularly meaningful for Codrington because one of his agree sons used to sing the song in his church sing as a child. The son died from a hit aneurism when he was thirty years old. To Brown. That song resonates with Ray's express. There's something for everyone in here.
Brown's aim with this new offering of Christmas jazz is simple: To make you feel good. Christmas is a time to promote peace and well-being regardless of religion.
For jazz lovers and Christmas music enthusiasts alike. Merry Christmas. Baby makes the perfect soundtrack for holiday entertaining on a snowy evening in December.
In the spirit of Art Blakey and other influential bandleaders. Brown mixes up his quartet and invites different musicians in to play. On Merry Christmas. do by. Brown (double bass). Codrington (exclaim) and Brian Miller (saxophone) compete on all the songs. Drummer Clif Wallace and pianist Gabe Evans step in on Let It Snow, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman. For the other songs. Derel Monteith stands in on piano and Rick Dior on drums. Brown formed the quintet in 2004.
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