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Smooth jazz keyboardist Brian Culbertson's A Soulful Christmas is a funkalicious, richly-orchestrated bag of tricks. Although the album is largely instrumental, it is packed with diverse surprises, including a brass quintet intro, a small choir (The Jason White Ensemble), an orchestra, and a jingle bells party. Something for everyone!

Front and center in this swirl of activity is Culbertson, who produced this release and provides its musical compass. The album opens strongly with a brass fanfare and a rollicking Joy to the World, complete with sensational sax solo (Eric Darius), a full-court press of supporting players, and high-energy choral support (The Jason White Ensemble). A Soulful Christmas is not all frenetic. By the time the album hits Deck the Halls, a more mellow, smooth-jazz vibe emerges. Next comes Jingle Bells, presenting a scratchy old-time radio intro before exploding into smokin' jazz that combines R&B with big band sentiments. Culbertson's sparkling piano work on the subdued First Noel is an island of calm, as is Michelle Culbertson's fragile, emotive vocal on the hushed Some Children See Him. The album's showpiece is probably Brian Culbertson's own (with Marc Nelson) All Through the Christmas Night; it's the offering's longest cut (5:28) and features outstanding textured, multi-layered vocals by Michael McDonald and well-crafted lyrics about the importance of love at Christmastime. Marc Nelson's simple, heartfelt vocal delivery on Silent Night nicely closes the album.

Savory and sweet, A Soulful Christmas is tantalizing fare for those who enjoy diverse jazz stylings with big sound and enormous heart. Tasty!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

Brian Culbertson: piano, trombone, celeste, bells, trombone, muted trumpet
Michael McDonald: vocals on track 6
Michelle Culbertson: vocals on track 9
Marc Nelson: vocals on track 12

CHOIR: The Jason White Ensemble on tracks 1, 6
Choir arranged and directed by Jason White
Choir members: Keith Allen, Brittany Batson, Troy Clark, David Daughtry, LaShanda Dendy, Chara Hammonds, Demeka Jackson, Shanika Leeks, Sharon Norwood, Melody Rhynes, Precious Umunna, Geneen White, Otha White, and Brandon Winbush


Eric Darius: tenor saxophone (solo on #1)
Eric Marienthal: alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones
Wayne Bergeron: trumpet,
Michael Stever: trumpet
Paul Jackson, Jr.: guitar
Tony Maiden: wah guitar, guitar
Eddie Miller: Fender Rhodes
Ricky Peterson: Hammond B3 organ
Maurice Fitzgerald: bass
Oscar Seaton, Jr.: drums
Lenny Castro: percussion
Warren Hill: alto saxophone
Bruce Watson: slide guitar
Nathan East: bass
Alex Al: electric bass
Brian Bromberg: acoustic bass
Vinnie Colaiuta: swing drums
Jorge Evans: guitar
Jeff Lorber: Wurlitzer, guitar
Derrick Hodge: bass
Peter White: acoustic guitar
Brian Bomberg: acoustic bass
Eddie Miller: Fender Rhodes

Orchestra:
All orchestrations and arrangements by Cliff Colnot
Violins: Peter Labella (concertmaster), Matthew Albert, Ying Chai, Baird Dodge, Teresa Fream, Tom Hall, Carmen Kassinger, Nancy Park, Paul Phillips, Ron Satkowitz, Rika Seko, and Robert Waters
Celli: Dan Klingler, Nicholas Photinos, and Gary Stucka
Bass: Collins Trier
Oboe: Jelena Dirks
French horn: Dave Griffin
Harp: Alison Attar
Contractor: Jennifer Pedraza
Copyist: Thomas Schaller

Jingle Bells Party: Jorge Evans, Billy Valentine, Michelle Culbertson, Scott Steiner, Mikko Locke, Michael Stever, Andrea Morgan, Brian Culbertson, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Brass Quintet Intro:
Trumpet and piccolo trumpet: Robert Schaer
Trumpet: Michael Stever
French Horn: Jennifer Kessler
Trombone: Martin Sullivan
Tuba: Zach Collins
Contractor: Michael Stever

Produced by Brian Culbertson
All piano tracks and trombone solos co-produced and engineered by Scott Steiner
All rhythm section arrangements by Brian Culbertson
Horn section arrangements by Brian Culbertson and Eric Marienthal

Brian Culbertson

A Soulful Christmas

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Track List