1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
2. Let It Snow
3. Deck the Halls
4. O Little Town of Bethlehem
5. Go Tell It On the Mountain
6. I'll Be Home for Christmas
7. Do You Hear What I Hear
8. Russian Dance
9. Jingle Bells
10. A Not-So Silent Night
11. Christmas Time Is Here
12. Children Go Where I Send Thee
KJO WEB SITE
PURCHASE CD FROM KJO
FACEBOOK
AMAZON MP3
2. Let It Snow
3. Deck the Halls
4. O Little Town of Bethlehem
5. Go Tell It On the Mountain
6. I'll Be Home for Christmas
7. Do You Hear What I Hear
8. Russian Dance
9. Jingle Bells
10. A Not-So Silent Night
11. Christmas Time Is Here
12. Children Go Where I Send Thee
KJO WEB SITE
PURCHASE CD FROM KJO
AMAZON MP3
I've been hoping against hope to find the time to give "Christmas Time Is Here" from The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra the full review it so richly deserves--and I still hope to do so as soon as I can--so I've been remiss in failing to post anything short of that. But, lest you miss out on one of this season's true delights, let me at least give you the heads up.
Though I grew up a Top 40 kid--a "bubblegum child" as I'm known to say--when I'm listening to music for my own head, these days, Jazz and Blues are my genres of choice. I approached this album with just a bit of trepidation due to the word "Orchestra" in the group's moniker. But, trust me, the emphasis here is on the Jazz.
The KJO is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization born in 1999 and dedicated to spreading an appreciation of Jazz to listeners far and near. Among the delightful and inspiring ways they do this is with free performances in Knox County schools. Man, I wish someone had introducedme to Jazz when I was in school. Of course, they also put on concerts for the general population, including six annually in downtown Knoxville. The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra is made up of 17 of Eastern Tennessee's finest musicians and they routinely perform with Jazz greats and world renowned artists.
"Christmas Time Is Here" covers a lot of stylistic ground, from classic Swing, to Hard Bop, to Gospel to Blues and beyond. The song list, the arrangements, the solos, the album is/are entirely sensational from beginning to end. KJO takes well worn carols like "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Do You Hear What I Hear" to places you've never been before, but places you'll want to visit again and again.
There are hat tips to many of the greats on this set--from McCoy Tyner to John Coltrane to Count Basie to the author of the title track, Vince Guaraldi. Hell, I swear I heard a riff from Emerson, Lake & Palmer's "Brain Salad Surgery" in there. But the KJO, while paying tribute to the masters, make these songs all their own. They begin by affording each song the proper respect due such standards. And, then...... they simply soar.
If I had one minor disappointment, it would be that I felt guest vocalist Jill Andrews was under utilized. But, while everyone here shines like the glorious star at the top of your tree, Dan Trudell absolutely makes this album with his astounding work on the Hammond B-3. I've said it before and I'll say it again: nothing says Christmas quite so much as the Hammond B-3 organ and Trudell offers up some of the tastiest and swingingest organ play since Jimmy Smith went Cookin. What Trudell does with "Go Tell It On The Mountain" has to be heard to be believed. Whoa! This KJO version of that number will blow your mind, spin you around, and then blow your mind again. And, lest you think otherwise from my remarks so far, this swinging set isn't lacking in the holiday spirit department either.
Right now, "Christmas Time Is Here" is showing as a digital release on Amazon. But you can order the hard-copy CD direct from the KJO web site. And you definitely should. There are a limited number of hard copy CDs available and you will only be able to get them through the KJO website through December 22. Do not miss out. If you dig Jazz--and perhaps especially if you don't--"Christmas Time Is Here" is a full holiday buffet that will leave you as happily fulfilled as the perfect Christmas dinner.
Though I grew up a Top 40 kid--a "bubblegum child" as I'm known to say--when I'm listening to music for my own head, these days, Jazz and Blues are my genres of choice. I approached this album with just a bit of trepidation due to the word "Orchestra" in the group's moniker. But, trust me, the emphasis here is on the Jazz.
The KJO is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization born in 1999 and dedicated to spreading an appreciation of Jazz to listeners far and near. Among the delightful and inspiring ways they do this is with free performances in Knox County schools. Man, I wish someone had introducedme to Jazz when I was in school. Of course, they also put on concerts for the general population, including six annually in downtown Knoxville. The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra is made up of 17 of Eastern Tennessee's finest musicians and they routinely perform with Jazz greats and world renowned artists.
"Christmas Time Is Here" covers a lot of stylistic ground, from classic Swing, to Hard Bop, to Gospel to Blues and beyond. The song list, the arrangements, the solos, the album is/are entirely sensational from beginning to end. KJO takes well worn carols like "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "Do You Hear What I Hear" to places you've never been before, but places you'll want to visit again and again.
There are hat tips to many of the greats on this set--from McCoy Tyner to John Coltrane to Count Basie to the author of the title track, Vince Guaraldi. Hell, I swear I heard a riff from Emerson, Lake & Palmer's "Brain Salad Surgery" in there. But the KJO, while paying tribute to the masters, make these songs all their own. They begin by affording each song the proper respect due such standards. And, then...... they simply soar.
If I had one minor disappointment, it would be that I felt guest vocalist Jill Andrews was under utilized. But, while everyone here shines like the glorious star at the top of your tree, Dan Trudell absolutely makes this album with his astounding work on the Hammond B-3. I've said it before and I'll say it again: nothing says Christmas quite so much as the Hammond B-3 organ and Trudell offers up some of the tastiest and swingingest organ play since Jimmy Smith went Cookin. What Trudell does with "Go Tell It On The Mountain" has to be heard to be believed. Whoa! This KJO version of that number will blow your mind, spin you around, and then blow your mind again. And, lest you think otherwise from my remarks so far, this swinging set isn't lacking in the holiday spirit department either.
Right now, "Christmas Time Is Here" is showing as a digital release on Amazon. But you can order the hard-copy CD direct from the KJO web site. And you definitely should. There are a limited number of hard copy CDs available and you will only be able to get them through the KJO website through December 22. Do not miss out. If you dig Jazz--and perhaps especially if you don't--"Christmas Time Is Here" is a full holiday buffet that will leave you as happily fulfilled as the perfect Christmas dinner.
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