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Our Review

Rebecca Parris knows the "Secret" of great jazz. Her 2003 holiday release The Secret of Christmas is a sophisticated package that would make a superb addition to anyone's holiday jazz collection. After listening to this CD several times, my only question is, "How has Parris remained a secret for so long?"

Parris has "the voice" for singing jazz--smooth, but sassy, husky and sultry. Her rich alto owns every song it touches. Her pacing is flawless, her musicianship is outstanding. This artist has a marvelous instinctual feel for how to handle every number she presents.

And those numbers are terrific. The song selection here works very well--Parris has put together a great mix of jazzy standards, covering both the popular and sacred. Nearly all 17 tracks are well familiar, and the set includes one Parris original (with S. Ellis) entitled Cape Cod Christmas, a lovely number with piano and snare stylings suggesting ocean movement. I love New England, and Cape Cod Christmas took me there.

Although the liner notes (which are extensive and helpful) list quite a few musicians, the accompaniment is more intimate than that. In essence, every cut operates with a trio of musicians (piano, bass, drums), but there are three different trios reflected on the recording. In addition, the CD is peppered with excellent solos on the flute, trumpet and tenor sax; these provide a particularly sweet bonus.

Parris' full-bodied voice, however, is the real showpiece here. Picking favorites on this CD is a challenge, but highlights must include an amazing rendition of Baby, It's Cold Outside, which excels on so many levels. First, the chemistry and balance between the singing duo are key, and these two sizzle. Paul Broadnax has a sexy bass that perfectly matches Parris' sultry efforts. The piece also features terrific scat interludes, a trumpet/tenor sax duet, and a very cool finish. Other notable moments on this CD are We Three Kings, where Parris' authoritative delivery makes her take on a kingly persona herself, and a Silent Night with a gently syncopated mamba beat and a beautiful flute solo.

In sum, The Secret of Christmas is consistently wonderful throughout. The disc has tremendous replay value--this is one holiday CD that won't be gathering dust on your shelf. Discover the Secret for yourself; you'll be very glad you did.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2003)

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From the liner notes:

The performers:
Rebecca Parris: vocals
Brad Hatfied: Musical Director; wrote most of the arrangements; piano
Peter Kontrimas: Recording Engineer; bass
John Lockwood: Bass
Matt Gordy: percussion
George Mesterhazy: piano
Paul Broadnax: "The Voice"
Fred Haas: tenor sax
Herb Pomeroy: trumpet
Mike Monaghan: flute
Quote from the artist:

"The Secret of Christmas has always been in the giving. We learn, as children, how very nice it is to receive. Unfortunately, a lot of the time that feeling grow up to become avarice. Every now and then, though, a splendid reminder of how generous humans can be to one another comes along and the receiver of their generosity is humbled, indeed. In this case, that someone is Me!"

"When Gene Arnould, the Director of the Marblehead Summer Jazz Series, approached me with the idea that he would like to do a Holiday project with me I was both overwhelmed and excited.

I have been performing at MSJ for 18 plus years now. This audience has become my absolute favorite."

"Every performer, I think, would like to do his or her own holiday recording and I am no different. This one is a collection of fond memories and fun ideas--some familiar, some a little fresh."

"We wanted to include most of the talented friends who in previous years have joined me in concert at Marblehead. So, when the project began to take shape I called all the favorites and invited them to take part. They happily agreed and then the rest of us kind of sat back and watched some serious pros create some serious (and seriously fun) magic in the studio." --Rebecca Parris
Quote from the founder of Marblehead Summer Jazz:
"The "Secret" is out! Rebecca Parris' long anticipated Holiday Jazz CD--"The Secret of Christmas"--is finally out! You're holding the jewel case, reading the liner notes, and listening to the most wonderful gift of the Season. And the secret is (Surprise! Surprise!) that what Rebecca Parris does with any song she sings she does just as beautifully with the music of the "Holidays"--those sacred, secular, hectic, crazy, commercially annoying, eternally long, though just often warm and wonderful holy-days--that Season that connects the day after Thanksgiving to New Years Day! And it's all great jazz!..."
"Since 1985 thos of us who put Marblehead Summer Jazz together have had the pleasure of enjoying Rebecca's many talents and gifts. She enthralled us that first year (performing to a sold-out house) and has been a part of our series every summer since"

"Then, about three years ago we wondered if there was a place for a Rebecca Parris "Holiday Concert", as if the holidays weren't crazy enough already. That event, of course, has become an annual event as well. After the first sell-out Hohliday Concert, folks started asking for the Christmas CD with all those tunes on it and Rebecca and I started talking. Life (and other projects) sometimes gets in the way, but now, here at last, is that disc --- an offering of Jazz for the holidays, Rebecca Parris Jazz, supported, as always, by some of the finest musicians around"

"So here it is. Listen to it again. Toss another log on the fire, pour yourself a little more eggnog, and press the "Play" button one more time. It's "Rebecca Parris: The Secret of Christmas"! Enjoy! Relax! Try to spread a little peace and good will It is, after all, the Season and fee free to share this "Secret" with anyone you know! Happy Holidays!"

--Gene Arnould (Founder, Marblehead Summer Jazz)

From the artist's web site (www.rebeccaparris.com):

"Rebecca Parris was born in Newton, Massachusetts on December 28, 1951. She was born of a family of musicians and educators. Rebecca performed from the age of 6, mostly in musical theatre. Her parents encouraged her to pursue the study of music. She studied with world-famous vocal coach, Blair MacClosky (her uncle) and attended the Boston Conservatory. Rebecca started her professional career in music working with various top 40's bands in the Northeast. She found that she preferred singing jazz and embarked upon a career in the jazz world. Rebecca has performed all over the world with her own groups, as well as with some of jazz's greatest legends, including Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Terry Gibbs, David "Fathead" Newman, Norman Simmons. Harold Jones, Andy Simpkins, Gerry Wiggins, Bill Cunliffe, Red Mitchell, Buster Cooper, Nat Pierce, and many others."

"Rebecca's other passion is teaching, both in a private, one-on-one and workshop/clinic setting. Her lessons and workshops focus on technique, performance and the "business" side of music, as well as lyric delivery and scat/improvisation."

"Rebecca's latest release is 'The Secret of Christmas' on SHIRA RECORDS. This record, a joint project between Rebecca and The Marblehead Jazz Society, features many of the musicians who have performed with Rebecca over the last 16 plus years at the Marblehead Jazz Festival."

"Rebecca continues to travel and bring her music to the world."

Rebecca Parris

The Secret of Christmas

Artist link

Track List