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A traditional jazz Christmas featuring swinging and romantic holiday classics. Unique, warm and inviting arrangements, instrumental and vocal, add atmosphere and ambiance to the holidays. Review from All About Jazz: "Merry Cool Christmas is the most fully realized and creative of all of the Holiday offerings I have heard this year." ...is the most intriguing release of the 2002 holiday season." "...encompasses a broad horizon of musical styles and moods." "As a microcosm of the rest of the record 'Silent Night' illustrates a trio empathy reminiscent of Bill Evan's famous 1961 trio recordings. This empathy permeates the entire recording as this fine rhythm section transports the listener through an engaging set of holiday standards." "His piano playing is top draw, betraying thoughts of Bill Evans, Erroll Garner, and Hank Jones." Review from Show Business: "It's positively perfect for trimming the tree, addressing holiday cards, and whipping up a batch of eggnog or just soaking in a hot tub after building a snowman. Leonard's distinctive piano style is laid-back and whimsical on traditional carols and songs that he's jazzed up..." "His sparing vocals are reminiscent of Chet Baker and LaSpina's snazzy bass solos are a study in understatement. In the spirit of Vince Guaraldi's classic A Charlie Brown Christmas, this is a great recording that will keep you smiling and tapping your toes throughout the holiday season." Review from Cadence Magazine: "The most notable track of Leonard's session... is that he contributes a worthy original song ["Under A Blue Christmas Tree"] ...light-hearted, and certainly merits a place among more famous seasonal songs." "...he sings in a light, casual tone with an easy-going, conversational delivery." "...in so many ways it conforms to my expectations of a Jazz Christmas album..." Review from Jazz Now: "...there's so many different approaches and the CD's material is well ordered, the surprises are fresh and they keep coming even when you half expect them." "...much of the CD's arrangements pay sly tribute to Vince Guaraldi's soundtrack of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" -- in fact, if anybody ever redoes that Peanuts chestnut I nominate Alex Leonard to redo the score -- while Leonard's vocal-based performances display ample wit also." "His own composition, 'Under a Blue Christmas Tree,' shows off his apprenticeship to the masters as well. Review from Christmasreviews.com: TOP PICK 2002 "A skilled, schooled, cool jazz, it harks back to the Vince Guaraldi trio with its 60ish sensibilities.... This is the sort of record that would have been described in earlier days as 'classy'... I enjoyed his relaxed vocal style and playful lyrical flourishes... His interpretations are lively and inventive... rich-textured sound with ample guitar harmonies and percussive variety, completely avoiding the oppressive dryness I hear in so many jazz recordings. Indeed, this is a recording that won't disappoint jazz listeners, but what I like most is its accessibility..." Review from ElectronicLink.com: "Alex Leonard's newest CD, Merry Cool Christmas, says it all in the title. This Piano Master has taken traditional holiday songs like Silent Night, Little Drummer Boy, Away In A Manger, and Auld Lang Syne and infused them with his own special brand of jazz. The result is music with a playful spirit, a clarity of Christmas celebration, and some of the most amazing arrangements you'll ever hear. Each song is a delightful combination of familiarity and soaring heights of ingenuity, making this an album you'll want to play year-round. Just in time for the season, buy one for everybody on your Christmas list. Available in select stores and on the Internet. Cool, definitely cool!" Review from Musesmuse.com: "...cool, smooth jazz exuded by a talented little crew of musicians..." "...included is a frolicsome bit of Christmas cheer that will only add bright lights and full stockings to an otherwise stuffy Christmas (if you don't have this CD, that is)." Review from Lee Prosser, JazzReview.com "MERRY COOL CHRISTMAS is a fine collection of holiday standards with much entertainment value and is sure to please the jazz listening audience. Alex Leonard shares one of his creative compositions, "Under A Blue Christmas Tree," which gives additional meaning to the phrase MERRY COOL CHRISTMAS." "For those interested in a jazzy, enjoyable Christmas collection, this CD is tops." About the artists/album: Alex Leonard has been featured in venues from Manhattan to Europe and Japan. His recent CD release "Down in the Depths: Interpretations of Cole Porter" (also available at cdbaby) has received wonderful reviews from Show Business, Cadence, WOR-Radio, All About Jazz and many others. Alex arranged the tunes for "Merry Cool Christmas" and can be heard on piano and vocal. "Merry Cool Christmas" also includes Edward Brown, an outstanding New York based classical/jazz guitarist and lute player. In an eclectic setting he can be heard playing lute on early traditional pieces such as "What Child is This?" (also known as Greensleeves), "Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella" and "The Holly and the Ivy." Ed also brings the beautiful sound of his soft guitar on bossa-nova arrangements and jazz waltzes. Bassist Steve LaSpina has played and recorded with a who's who list of the greatest jazz musicians... names like Stan Getz, Mel Torme and Peggy Lee. His big warm sound is the perfect complement for tunes like "Auld Lang Syne" and the swinging "O Christmas Tree." Danny Venditti, who worked the clubs along 52nd Street, continues to be one of the most in demand drummers in the Manhattan scene today. Whether playing the up tempo "Drummer Boy" or thoughtful waltz "A Child is Born" he is tasteful and swinging as ever. Middle Eastern dancer Rijou brings her talents in the use of a unique assortment of percussion. Her subtle and perfectly tuned zills can be heard in the arrangement of "Carol of the Bells." "Merry Cool Christmas" (Library of Congress #2003572548) was recorded at Bennett Studios in Englewood, New Jersey. Check out the artist's website: http://www.alexleonard.com Track List: 1. Silent Night 2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 3. Carol Of The Bells 4. Bring A Torch, Jeannette, Isabella 5. Here Comes Santa Claus 6. Deck The Hall 7. What Child Is This? 8. A Child Is Born 9. O Little Town Of Bethleham 10. Little Drummer Boy 11. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow! 12. The Holly And The Ivy 13. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear 14. Away In A Manger 15. Under A Blue Christmas Tree 16. O Christmas Tree 17. Auld Lang Syne Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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