MAXJAZZ Holiday

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
MaxJazz's finest singers deliver an understated collection of seasonal songs. Whether lightly swinging, copping from New Orleans's vast musical treasure chest, or touching on gospel, each piece seems to have its own inner light, as highly accomplished singers such as Mary Stallings, Phillip Manuel, Carla Cook, and others explore the festive sentiments of Christmas. Using sparse instrumentation (piano, drums, bass for the most part), MaxJazz also features a lovely guest spot by pianist Cyrus Chestnut. But it's bass player Ugonna Okegwo and pianist Bruce Barth whose deft musicianship dazzles. Listen up as these different artists uniformly discover, in the words of Rene Marie in the CD liner notes, "the imagery of romance these tunes elicit. How the icy coldness of winter juxtaposed with intimacy and warmth of new love creates new memories." Not even old Saint Nick could put it any better. Highly recommended. --Martin Keller

Tracks:

Do You Hear What I Hear? - Carla Cook
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Rene Marie
Sleigh Ride - LaVerne Butler
I'll Be Home For Christmas - Mary Stallings
Go Tell It On The Mountain - Phillip Manuel
We'll Dress The House - Christine Hitt
O Christmas Tree - Bruce Barth
Winter Wonderland - Rene Marie
Christmas Song - LaVerne Butler
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Mary Stallings
Silent Night - Carla Cook
Some Children See Him - Christine Hitt
Greensleaves - Bruce Barth
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Christine Hitt
Peace On Earth - Phillip Manuel

Amazon.com

MaxJazz's finest singers deliver an understated collection of seasonal songs. Whether lightly swinging, copping from New Orleans's vast musical treasure chest, or touching on gospel, each piece seems to have its own inner light, as highly accomplished singers such as Mary Stallings, Phillip Manuel, Carla Cook, and others explore the festive sentiments of Christmas. Using sparse instrumentation (piano, drums, bass for the most part), MaxJazz also features a lovely guest spot by pianist Cyrus Chestnut. But it's bass player Ugonna Okegwo and pianist Bruce Barth whose deft musicianship dazzles. Listen up as these different artists uniformly discover, in the words of Rene Marie in the CD liner notes, "the imagery of romance these tunes elicit. How the icy coldness of winter juxtaposed with intimacy and warmth of new love creates new memories." Not even old Saint Nick could put it any better. Highly recommended. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

A surprising jazz vocal treat!.......2004-01-08

This is a marvelous collection of jazzy holiday classics that had me wondering why I hadn't heard of these vocalists before. The talents on this CD arguably exceed those of "D.K." and are deserving of greater notice. Very nice jazz combo backing also.

Solid Christmas album with some standouts.......2002-12-02

I don't know what these previous reviewers are listening to, but it clearly is not the MaxJazz Holiday Album! There is definitely an upper echelon among these artists -- Rene Marie, Carla Cook, and Bruce Barth are standouts. I own albums by all three of them, and they are outstanding talents. I'm a singer. I've sung jazz, and I have to tell you that Christmas music isn't a venue in which you can really show what ya got -- it's a time to stick to the standards and give a solid performance true to tradition. Check out Ella and Frank -- their holiday albums are pretty straightforward as well. Point being, don't ever judge an artist by how they interpret a Christmas song!

The other artists definitely hold their own. My least favorites are Christine Hitt and Philip Manuel. Laverne Bulter does a nice Sleigh Ride, and Mary Stallings' two contributions are great.

Bottom line: if you want a Christmas album that is good top to bottom, check this out. Barth plays piano on most tracks, and he's great.

Oh, and the other bottom line: Go purchase both albums by Rene Marie. I don't have enough words to describe her incredible talent, performance, and interpretation. Each time I listen to her albums, I hear something more. Many layers, and she's entertaining as hell. If you have the chance to see her live, jump at it!

Not Worth It.......2002-01-23

Who decided to throw these artist together and what were they thinking? This CD is like listening to the confused efforts of an immature label.

I know JAZZ, and I know good JAZZ. This, it ain't.

Carla Cook is the only person on this label worth anything. I suggest she ask for some serious money considering that she is probably the only person responsible for the sales.

Killer Desgin, Bad Music.......2002-01-23

TO MaxJazz: Next time try spending some money on your artists and programming instead of packaging!

I was expectiing to hear Holiday music, but instead I heard maybe one good artist (Cook) and a bunch of hacks trying to sound like professionals.

This Jazz Christmas cd is the one for me.......2001-10-01

What a treat it was for me to buy and listen to this jazzy Chritmas cd. I had been looking, looking, and looking for such a cd. This cd has been a dream come true.

This project offers some of the best jazz singers around. A lot of the performances are truely grand. As a result of this cd, i'm going to be buying a lot of these artists individual cds.

In conclusion I would like to give MAXJAZZ a big hand of applause and say BRAVO. This my kind of jazz to the tee.

Recommendation: Please buy this cd and you will enjoy this music I guarantee it.

Music:

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