Jazz for Joy

Performer: Various Artists
Engineer: Ed Rak
Producer: Don Sickler; Don Sickler (Compilation)
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Abbey Lincoln, Shirley Horn, Betty Carter (vocals); Mark Whitfield (guitar); Ron Blake (tenor saxophone); Roy Hargrove (trumpet, flugelhorn); Roy Hargrive, Nicholas Payton (trumpet); Stephen Scott (piano); Christian McBride (hi-hat). Audio Mixer: James Nichols. Recording information: Clinton Recording (04/09/1996-04/23/1996). Arranger: Don Sickler. This is a well-rounded set of Christmas songs played by some of Verve's top artists. Shirley Horn, Betty Carter and Abbey Lincoln take two vocals apiece, and the seven instrumentals feature such major players as trumpeters Roy Hargrove and Nicholas Payton, bassist Christian McBride, guitarist Mark Whitfield (showcased on "Soulful Jingle Bells") and pianist Stephen Scott. There is enough variety throughout the date to hold one's interest, with the versions of "Frosty the Snowman," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" being among the hotter interpretations. ~ Scott Yanow

Entertainment Weekly (12/6/96, p.65) - "...These spirited instrumental features and lyrical vocal interpretations of yule standards celebrate the joys of jazz as much as they do the holiday season." - Rating: A

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