Jazz For The Holidays

Sitting beside the Christmas tree on that magical morning with Oakley’s trio purring from the living room stereo sure makes a lot of sense. Just try to be patient with your noisy guests and family members. Replay the album in the afternoon when they’ve all gone to the movies. Darek Oles and Joe La Barbera solo frequently with a gentle spirit and lyrical intentions. Brushes and sticks change hands for effect, and La Barbera finds the right texture every time. Oakley has studied with Jaki Byard and George Russell. He learned a few lessons from Madame Chaloff as well. He takes charge of each Christmas carol and massages it into a comfortable fit for the straight-ahead jazz lover. Jazz for the Holidays, recorded in October, was released this year in honor of the American Liver Foundation. It comes to us as a gift – a fine companion for this holiday season.

Track listing: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; Silent Night; Santa Claus is Coming to Town; It Came Upon a Midnight Clear; White Christmas; Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow; Winter Wonderland; The Christmas Song; O Tannenbaum; Little Drummer Boy; Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; Greensleeves; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas; Here Comes Santa Claus.

Personnel: Scott Oakley- piano; Darek Oles- bass; Joe La Barbera- drums.