Knoxville Jazz? What’s wrong with picture? Believe it or not, the KJO is a smoking like the mountains here, boasting with guests like Gregory Tardy/ts, Tim Green/as, and Dan Trudel/B3. The arrangements of these roasting chestnuts have a nice jaunt to them; “Let it Snow” has a cooking little Basie feel to it, and “Jingle Bells” dashes through the snow with Tard and Green delivering some hot solos. A take of
“Silent Night” shows that all is NOT calm, as Trudell’s B3 burns like Rudolph’s nose. Some lovely vocals by Jill Andrews on “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and a choir on the closing traditional “Children Go Where I Send Thee” keeps this disc well balanced. A real reason to celebrate the Season!
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