Joshua Bowlus: Sleigh Ride

Sleigh Ride is a modern jazz Christmas gift from pianist and composer Joshua Bowlus which will brighten the holiday season. Joshua performs as the bandleader for his own trio and quartet. The thirteen-track album features long-time friends and musical collaborators Linda Cole on vocals, Juan Rollan on tenor sax, Stan Piper on bass and Ben Adkins on drums. Bowlus collaborates regularly with vocalist Linda Cole, a niece of Nat King Cole and a member of his family dynasty.

"Christmas Is Coming" has an upbeat tempo and catchy arrangements of piano and rhythm collaborations. "Sleigh Ride" features vocalist Linda Cole who takes listeners on a jazzy ride with a grand sound, along with solos from saxophonist Juan Rollan and Joshua Bowlus. "Frosty The Snowman" has a new twist, with jazz singer Cole swinging on vocals and popping sounds from the rhythm section and saxophone. "All I Want For Christmas" has a piano introduction which leads into a beautiful horn melody of the ballad. A soft piano solo fades that out. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" is nicely serenaded by Cole over a splendid arrangement by Bowlus. "My Favorite Things" includes piano improvisations, horn riffs and drum snares on this classic. "Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas" has an upbeat rumba rhythm, with a leading saxophone solo and soft piano organ arrangements. "Merry Christmas Baby" is swinging with Cole and a jazzy horn and piano on the R&B classic standard. "Jingle Bells" is fun and upbeat with twists and turns in tempo and rhythm. Cole is superb with her scatting technique over the piano arrangement.

"The Great Pumpkin Waltz" has an organ arrangement accompanied by saxophone interludes with a riveting rhythm section. "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" has a soft opening of rhythm followed by the smooth vocals of Cole in a nice arrangement by Bowlus. "O'Come O'Come Emanuel" has an attentive arrangement of piano and saxophone improvisation on this classic hymn. "The Christmas Song" is timely and classic. The arrangement is quaint and suited for a gracious close of the album, with marvelous vocals by Cole.