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The James Bazen Big Band presents stylish and enthusiastic holiday music on Merry Christmas Take One. This is a very enjoyable jazz CD that covers all the bases.

Of the thirteen tracks, all are familiar, and most are instrumental. The CD opens strongly with a fun and uplifting Sleigh Ride. Vocals add an extra dimension on six numbers, including White Christmas and Silver Bells; for me, however, the big band instrumentals steal the show with their intense musicianship and unerring swing sensibilities.

The James Bazen Big Band gives Silent Night a whole new look. Beginning with reverent tones, the song smoothly transitions into an upbeat swing number with clean percussion tapping out the up-tempo. Far from forced, this change occurs naturally as the band moves Silent Night through funky riffs and brilliant brass solos. Even if you have heard this ubiquitous Christmas carol a million times before, you have not quite heard it like this. Under the band's creative arrangements, the band expands Silent Night into well over seven minutes.

The other stand-out piece is the final cut, The "Spirit" of Christmas Present, which itself lasts nearly ten-and-a-half minutes. This is the only track featuring five instruments (trumpet, soprano sax, trombone, guitar, and drums), creating a mini-symphony of raucous and explosive sound. The band plays an extended medley of holiday favorites interwoven with highly stylized jazz solos. Although I cannot always recognize the underlying carol, the raw jazz talents on display are readily apparent.

Want jazz for Christmas? Then Merry Christmas Take One may be the perfect mood maker for you!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2003)

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From the liner notes:

"The 'Spirit' of Christmas Present"

"The holidays are a time of peace, joy and good will toward men. But is the true spirit of Christmas present really a cacophony of stress, commercialism, depression and violence?"

"Nothing expresses the joy and excitement of the Christmas season more than music. Music can transport you to a different place and time. It can evoke the noblest of feelings or incite the most raucous party. This collection does all that and more."

"From the happy go lucky 'Sleigh Ride' to the intensely emotional 'Jesus Loves Me' and the though provoking 'The 'Spirit' of Christmas Present,' this recording captures the sometimes conflicting emotions associated with this special time of year."

"I hope these songs help you enjoy the Christmas season just a bit more. I hope they will inspire you to practice random acts of kindness. And I hope they bring you an hour's respite from this hectic season."

"So& light the fire, grab the eggnog, put your feet up and join us on a swinging holiday journey!"

--James Bazen

Musicians appearing on Merry Christmas Take One: James Bazen, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Soprano Sax; Larry Brown, Keys, Piano; Christina Crerar & Patty McKay, Vocalists (Crerar on 5 cuts; McKay on 1); Mike Davis, Trumpet; Ron Diehl, Soprano Sax; Doug Elliott, Trombone; Kyle Funn, Trumpet; Jeff Gray, Tenor Sax; Steve Larrance, Drums; Don Lerman, Bari Sax; Brian Litz, Guitar; Jesse Merman, Tenor Sax; Jerry O'Sullivan, Trombone; Halley Shoenberg, Alto Sax; Leonard Stevens, Guitar; Robert Wagner, Bass.

James Bazen Big Band

Merry Christmas Take One

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Track List