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Merry Christmas Take One

The James Bazen Big Band

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Open iTunes to preview, buy, and download songs from The James Bazen Big Band

  Name Artist Time Price  
1 Sleigh Ride The James Bazen Big Band 2:02 $0.99 View In iTunes
2 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas The James Bazen Big Band 5:54 $0.99 View In iTunes
3 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen The James Bazen Big Band 5:02 $0.99 View In iTunes
4 White Christmas The James Bazen Big Band 2:22 $0.99 View In iTunes
5 Silent Night The James Bazen Big Band 7:26 $0.99 View In iTunes
6 My Favorite Things The James Bazen Big Band 3:12 $0.99 View In iTunes
7 Christmas Time Is Here The James Bazen Big Band 4:07 $0.99 View In iTunes
8 O Christmas Tree The James Bazen Big Band 5:08 $0.99 View In iTunes
9 The Christmas Song The James Bazen Big Band 3:50 $0.99 View In iTunes
10 Let It Snow The James Bazen Big Band 2:06 $0.99 View In iTunes
11 Silver Bells The James Bazen Big Band 2:42 $0.99 View In iTunes
12 Jesus Loves Me The James Bazen Big Band 7:04 $0.99 View In iTunes
13 The Spirit of Christmas Present The James Bazen Big Band 10:15 Album Only View In iTunes

Album Review

With its service bands, the Washington, D.C., area offers a ready roster of highly skilled musicians to fill chairs of many big bands. Maryland-based multi-reed man James Bazen has put together one such aggregation and, for his second album, pays tribute to the holiday season. Many jazz artists sometime during their careers manage to issue a Christmas album. This album is not only a paean to that festive time of the year, but is an excellent session of big band music, ranging from sizzling, swinging renditions of such tunes as "Sleigh Ride" to a unique rendition of "Silent Night." The arrangement for the latter starts with appropriate piety as befitting the granddaddy of all Christmas hymns, before leaping into a swinging, funky performance. Strangely enough, the latter treatment doesn't seem out of place at all. And that's what strikes one immediately about this album, the fresh, joyous arrangements all brought to life by outstanding section work and superb solos. Jeff Gray's tenor and Leonard Stevens' guitar ride high on such tunes as "Silent Night." Vocalist Christina Crerar is on five cuts, with an especially nice offering of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," backed by Bazen's clarinet. The bari sax of Don Lerman works with Robert Wagner's bass and Larry Brown's piano on one of the most adventurous orchestrations of the traditional "O Christmas Tree" one will ever hear. The play list is not limited entirely to well-known holiday offerings. There is Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time Is Here" and a ten-minute exploration of a quasi-symphonic "The 'Spirit' of Christmas Present" showcasing the trumpet of Mike Davis, among others. Whether it's a big band that tickles your fancy, or the music of the holidays, this album will satisfy completely satisfy both needs.

Recent Customer Reviews

Great Music! Great Times!
     
by BazookaJoe786

This album is really great! Around September I start to listin to Holiday music all the way up till about mid January because it makes me soo happy. And im really glad i found this CD because its always in my Holiday Playlists. Sleigh Ride is an absolute fav song on this CD. I love the Beats and horns. I suggest this CD to anyone who loves Big Band/Swinging Holiday Music!

Merry Christmas Take One, The James Bazen Big Band
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