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Beegie Adair: Jazz Piano Christmas

Item: Jazz Piano Christmas
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Author: Jim Santella

By Jim Santella
December 1, 1999
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Traditional Christmas music is always a welcome treat this time of year. We’ve grown up with these songs, listening to Nat King Cole, Mel Torme, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald singing ‘em on the radio. As long as they’re performed tastefully, anything goes. The Green Hill label’s niche is instrumental albums to which one would normally relax, take one’s shoes off, and let the day pass without personal interference. Beegie Adair’s piano trio allows for just that and even adds a dash of jazz spice to the holiday concoction.

Drummer Chris Brown employs swirling brushes on all tunes except one. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is performed in a livelier, jazzier state with ride cymbal, lyrical walking bass, and with stronger piano accents on the improvised lines. Staying away from a steady meter, the trio produces a fine jazz arrangement. The rest of the album, however, travels along a straight-laced snow-covered road; it’s a relaxed family affair that offers piano melody and variations. It makes you want to pack the family into the SUV, drive to Beegie Adair’s house, and spend the holidays singing around the fireplace.

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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.

Track Listing

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow; Santa Claus is Coming to Town; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas; I

Personnel

Beegie Adair

piano

Beegie Adair- piano; Roger Spencer- acoustic bass; Chris Brown- drums.

Album information

Title: Jazz Piano Christmas | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: Green Hill

About Beegie Adair

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