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Hot jazz for a cold December--that's KTG's "Christmas Time Is Here." Kenny Levine and company (vocalist Teri Levine and band members Steve Barranco, Roderick McMorries, Phil Robinson, Gary Smith) have put together a nifty little jazz CD to ring your bells this holiday season.

One look at the album cover and you just know that this is a Florida-based group. The picture shows the back of Santa (OK, a long-haired individual wearing Santa's cap) sitting on a lounge chair on a white beach facing the gorgeous ocean surf in full sunshine, a few clouds breaking the blue sky. In Minnesota, that's not how we see the winter season (or any other season, for that matter!), but I can certainly see the benefits associated with a balmy Christmas.

Whatever your weather, December is sooner than you think, and "Christmas Time Is Here" is a stylish entrée to the holidays. The CD presents vocals that are classic jazz, although one song ("Oh Holy Night") is a very nice instrumental featuring a smokin' solo soprano sax. Because four different band members with distinctively different voices contribute, the album reflects jazz styles of varying flavors. Teri Levine offers her crisp and edgy alto on several songs; for me, the title number "Christmas Time Is Here" works as the best showcase for her vocal talents. Kenny Levine's more mellow tenor tones and comfortable phrasing make songs like the swingin' "Let it Snow" pop right off the album. Roderick McMorries, on the other hand, has one of those smoky-sounding, bass R&B voices, and he uses his instrument to terrific effect in "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." Finally, Gary Smith presents some very fun scat singing in "Silver Bells." The ten selections include nine holiday standards (mostly modern pieces) and one pleasing Kenny Levine original ("Christmas Long Ago").

So pull up a lounge chair and stretch out on the beach. Christmas Time is Here!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

KTG:

Kenny Levine: keyboards, vocals
Teri Levine: vocals
Gary Smith: trumpet, bass, vocals
Steve Barranco: saxes, flutes
Roderick McMorries: vocals, trumpet
Phil Robinson: drums

All tracks produced and arranged by Kenny Levine (except for "Silent Night", which Phil Robinson co-arranged and produced).

KTG

Christmas Time Is Here

Artist link

Track List