This is the kind of release I like to feature here. It's the sort of thing many a Christmas music hunter will come across briefly in their internet searches and not give a second thought to. That's why I like them.
Utah's Crescent Super Band, under the direction of Caleb Chapman, is the premier youth jazz band in the country. Perhaps, if Jeff Coffin (sax player for the Dave Matthews Band) is to be believed, "the best in the world". The band has been honored as Utah's best professional band in any genre at least 7 times (including six in a row, from 2007-2012) and won the Downbeat Award as the best in the country in both 2007 and 2010. Comprised entirely of young musicians, High School musicians, the Crescent Super Band has played top venues from Switzerland to Telluride. And now they want to make it to New York. Because, you know, it's been said if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. The band has been extended the honor of a headlining performance date at New York's famed Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. And what young musician doesn't dream of playing Carnegie Hall? (By now, I'm sure they've tired of hearing the old joke about "practice, practice, practice".)
But New York ain't cheap. The band needs to raise at least $3,000 for travel and accommodations. Bake sales ain't gonna get it done. So the Crescent Super Band has recorded a Christmas album, "A Crescent Christmas". The CD releases officially November 9. For each $20 disc sold, $13 will go to help these student musicians make their dream come true. How cool is that? The $3,000 will also cover traveling expenses for another bunch of student musicians who will open for the Crescent Super Band, The Voodoo Orchestra (Jump, Swing and Rockabilly) and La Onda Caribena (Lain and Salsa).
This isn't the first recording from the Crescent Super Band. But their CDs are printed in very limited numbers and generally not found beyond the borders of Utah (you can sample a digital version of their 2011 release, "What It Is", at Amazon). But "A Crescent Christmas" may well be one of their most important.
Don't have a playlist, as yet, though the band promises such standards as "Jingle Bells" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas", as well as Jazz favorites like "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" and "Cool Yule". The band currently sports 6 featured vocalists and each will get a turn in the spotlight on "A Crescent Christmas". Expect some hot instrumental solos, as well.
Kids, don't miss the Carnegie Deli when you're in town. The food, there, is awesome! You'll find a link in our list of Festive Friends, if you'd like to start drooling early. (Not a paid advertisement, just an unsolicited personal opinion).
Cool Jazz, cool cause? I'm in! To quote Lord Buckley, "you can get wid it if you want to. There's only one way, s-t-r-a-i-g-h-t to the road of love". Pre-order a copy of "A Crescent Christmas" via The Legacy Music Alliance. And check out a 2008 performance of "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" below.
Utah's Crescent Super Band, under the direction of Caleb Chapman, is the premier youth jazz band in the country. Perhaps, if Jeff Coffin (sax player for the Dave Matthews Band) is to be believed, "the best in the world". The band has been honored as Utah's best professional band in any genre at least 7 times (including six in a row, from 2007-2012) and won the Downbeat Award as the best in the country in both 2007 and 2010. Comprised entirely of young musicians, High School musicians, the Crescent Super Band has played top venues from Switzerland to Telluride. And now they want to make it to New York. Because, you know, it's been said if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. The band has been extended the honor of a headlining performance date at New York's famed Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. And what young musician doesn't dream of playing Carnegie Hall? (By now, I'm sure they've tired of hearing the old joke about "practice, practice, practice".)
But New York ain't cheap. The band needs to raise at least $3,000 for travel and accommodations. Bake sales ain't gonna get it done. So the Crescent Super Band has recorded a Christmas album, "A Crescent Christmas". The CD releases officially November 9. For each $20 disc sold, $13 will go to help these student musicians make their dream come true. How cool is that? The $3,000 will also cover traveling expenses for another bunch of student musicians who will open for the Crescent Super Band, The Voodoo Orchestra (Jump, Swing and Rockabilly) and La Onda Caribena (Lain and Salsa).
This isn't the first recording from the Crescent Super Band. But their CDs are printed in very limited numbers and generally not found beyond the borders of Utah (you can sample a digital version of their 2011 release, "What It Is", at Amazon). But "A Crescent Christmas" may well be one of their most important.
Don't have a playlist, as yet, though the band promises such standards as "Jingle Bells" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas", as well as Jazz favorites like "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" and "Cool Yule". The band currently sports 6 featured vocalists and each will get a turn in the spotlight on "A Crescent Christmas". Expect some hot instrumental solos, as well.
Kids, don't miss the Carnegie Deli when you're in town. The food, there, is awesome! You'll find a link in our list of Festive Friends, if you'd like to start drooling early. (Not a paid advertisement, just an unsolicited personal opinion).
Cool Jazz, cool cause? I'm in! To quote Lord Buckley, "you can get wid it if you want to. There's only one way, s-t-r-a-i-g-h-t to the road of love". Pre-order a copy of "A Crescent Christmas" via The Legacy Music Alliance. And check out a 2008 performance of "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" below.
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