Search - Wayne Bergeron :: Music & Mistletoe

Not just for jazz buffs

James A. Vedda | Alexandria, VA USA | 03/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Christmas playlists can always use some freshening up, and this CD is an ideal choice for jazz lovers, and for others as well. Brass ensemble - in this case, two trumpets, french horn, trombone, and tuba, with the occasional addition of bass and drums - is an essential sound for the holiday season.

Gary Slechta's arrangements are clever. In "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" he manages to work in quotes from "Bluesette" and Charlie Parker's "Confirmation." "O Christmas Tree" is an easy swing with a walking tuba line. "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" has the feel of "Killer Joe," and "Winter Wonderland" has a familiar blues background. Slechta also created sensitive treatments of old favorites like "O Come All Ye Faithful," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," and "Christmas Time Is Here."

A couple of new tunes are added to the traditional lineup. Guest vocalist Tierney Sutton renders the appealing ballad "Christmas Is the Warmest Day of the Year." (She also sings on an upbeat version of "Let It Snow.") Trumpeter Deb Wagner Bergeron sings the novelty tune "Santa Baby" while husband Wayne adds the trumpet solo.

Naturally, this is a completely different listening experience than Bergeron's other recordings - and that's just as it should be. A Christmas collection is not the place to highlight extreme trumpet playing. If you've ever played your Christmas jazz playlist for a non-jazz audience, you've probably gotten the response, "That doesn't sound Christmassy." This collection of 18 tunes has the advantage that it sounds Christmassy and jazzy at the same time."