By Jim Santella Jim Santella View Profile | Contact Me Senior Contributor Joined AAJ in 1997 Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine. More about Jim.

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One of this era's finest big band arrangers also leads his own orchestra in Southern California. Loaded with talent and blessed with superb charts, Tom Kubis's band has assembled for an hour of holiday cheer in a session that both meets traditional expectations and provides a fresh look at the holiday season.

Guests Pete Christlieb, Jack Sheldon and Carol Jolin each make a major impact. Their charming lyricism and creative spirits ride high. Kubis's arrangements, while adhering to the mainstream for their substance, contain welcome surprises. Rich Bullock takes the melody of "Jingle Bells" as his solo feature—on bass trombone. Christlieb and Kubis wage a tough tenor battle through a hip, up-tempo "We Three Kings." Mike Higgins weaves a pleasant acoustic guitar melody on a fast-paced arrangement of "Deck the Halls." Elsewhere, high-note trumpeters Wayne Bergeron and George Graham put goose bumps on your arms and the back of your neck. Carol Jolin joins the band for two lovely arrangements. Her scat chorus with saxophone section unison on "Winter Wonderland" swings with a Basie heart of gold. The program also features a trombone choir, a remarkable solo from trombonist Andy Martin, and several lovely open trumpet features from Andy's brother, Stan.

Jack Sheldon, a personal favorite, appears with his fluid horn and his unforgettable sense of humor. His trumpet work sounds as fresh as it ever has, and his hip vocal comedy remains filled with enchantment. Kubis organizes his big band programs with care. This is one that Santa will enjoy all year 'round.

Track listing: Joy to the World; A Jazz Musician's Christmas; Away In a Manger; O Holy Night; Let It Snow; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; Hark the Herald Angels Sing; Oh Christmas Tree; It Came Upon a Midnight Clear; Deck the Halls; The Twelve Days of Christmas (My Agent Gave To Me); Jingle Bells; O Come All Ye Faithful/O Little Town of Bethlehem; We Three Kings; Silent Night; Winter Wonderland; Auld Lang Syne.

Personnel: Tom Kubis- leader, soprano saxophone, piano & soprano saxophone on "The Twelve Days of Christmas (My Agent Gave to Me)," piano on "Silent Night," tenor saxophone on "We Three Kings;" George Graham, Wayne Bergeron, Stan Martin, Jeff Bunnell, Darrel Gardner, Gary Halopoff, Christian Beck- trumpet; Andy Martin, Alex Iles, Charlie Morillas, Rich Bullock, John Leys, Bob McChesney, Chuck Hughes- trombone; Sal Lozano- alto saxophone; Jay Mason- alto saxophone, baritone saxophone; Rusty Higgins, Mike Whitman- alto saxophone, tenor saxophone; Jeff Driskell, Bill Liston- tenor saxophone; Brian Williams- baritone saxophone; Jack Reidling- piano; Mike Higgins- guitar; Trey Henry- bass; Ray Brinker- drums; Kurt Rasmussen- percussion; Carol Jolin- vocals on ?Let It Snow? and ?Winter Wonderland;? Jack Sheldon- vocal & trumpet on ?A Jazz Musician?s Christmas? and ?The Twelve Days of Christmas (My Agent Gave to Me),? trumpet on ?Let It Snow;? Steve Araujo- electric bass on ?O Come All Ye Faithful/O Little Town of Bethlehem;? Pete Christlieb- tenor saxophone on ?WeThree Kings;? Dick Weller- drums on ?A Jazz Musician?s Christmas.?

Style: Straightahead/Mainstream

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