I’ve enjoyed vocalist Peggy Duqeusnel’s albums because she always mixes in a few intriguing original compositions with jazz standards. Well, lo and behold, she even does that on this 2 disc set of Christmas songs! Cleverly, she divides the set into instrumentals and vocals. Duquesnel brings together the impressive team of Brian Bromberg/b, Joe La Barbera/dr, Brian Kilgore/perc, Jay Leech/g, Rick Braun/fh and vocalists Bill Cantos and Emma Werderman for a fascinating mix of old and new. Of the instrumentals, highlights include an “All Blues”-ish modal take of “Little Drummer Boy” and some nice mallet work on “Christmas is Here” and “Mary Did You Know,” while Braun’s horn glows on “All I Ask For Christmas.”
Haven’t heard of some of those Christmas titles before? That’s because Peggy wrote them herself, and the lyrics touch on all of the important aspects of Christmas outside of Frosty the Snowman and Mistletoe. “All I Ask…” should be part of the standard fare within a couple seasons, while “Light of Christmas” hits the Reason for the Season. An upbeat “Santa Clause is Coming To Town” co-exists with a cozy country “Under The Christmas Tree.” Kudos for adding to the Great Bethlehem Song Book!
She’s coming to LA soon as well. Check out the schedule at www.vitellosjazz.com