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Singer/songwriter Michael Tinholme has a remarkable personal story, caught between homelessness and privilege. Happily, Tinholme's fortunes have been on the upswing since 2007, and his It's Christmas Time in the City is a lovely, rather traditional exploration of classic jazz standards (and one Tinholme original) for the holidays.

Tinholme's vocals are unique--he sounds like a cross between Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. Singing with warm emotion, Tinholme's slightly nasal tone and stylized pronunciation have a distinctly New York feel. Years ago, I lived in the Big Apple, and listening to Tinholme's grand renditions put me in Rockefeller Center, admiring the dramatic, towering Christmas tree and the iconic ice rink. Ah, Christmas time in New York City is something special indeed!

It's Christmas Time in the City is something special, too. For one thing, Tinholme is surrounded by superb musicians who amplify and balance Tinholme's jazzy vocals. The instrumentation is distinctive, well-executed, and never crowds Tinholme. Second, the jazz treatments here are deliciously tempered; everything is perfectly proportioned. The arrangements are creatively jazz-infused, conveying a sense of welcome familiarity and even fun (particularly on Sleigh Ride). Nothing frenetic here; the atmosphere is sophisticated, but comfortable and a bit introspective.

For jazz fans, there is much to savor here. My personal favorites? Oh, I must include Tinholme's haunting Moonlight in Vermont and his excellent original Maybe Next Year, an anthem to our end-of-the-year resolutions. The latter track is evocative and absolutely outstanding, but much too short (only 90 seconds!).

Thank goodness that Michael Tinholme has triumphed over his personal demons to produce wonderful music like this! We all face difficult challenges in our daily lives; may we have Tinholme's courage so that we might transform despair into infinite opportunities and success. In addition to its superior musicality, It's Christmas Time in the City symbolizes hope and love, a very fine message to send in December and throughout the year.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2009)

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From the liner notes:

Produced by: Michael Tinholme

Michael Tinholme: Vocals
Mike Miller: Guitars
Steve Lukather: Guitar
Irvin "Magic" Kramer: Guitar
Bill Cunliffe: Piano
Kim Hansen: Piano/Keyboards
Bruce Fowler: Trombone
Walt Fowler: Trumpet/Flugel Horn
Albert Wing: Tenor & Baritone Saxophone/Clarinet/Flute
Tom Fowler: Bass
Gary Novak: Drums
Ralph Humphrey: Drums
Ray Yslas: Percussion
Andrea Miller: Vocals and 1st V/O
Carissa Schroeder: Vocals
Rebecca Jade: Vocals
Alexis Nestor: Voice Over
Austin Nestor: Voice Over
Jon Jon Nestor: Voice Over
Aubrie Nestor: Voice Over

"Maybe Next Year: Words & Music by Michael Tinholme


From the artist's Website:

In the tradition of those great holiday recordings by Nat King Cole, the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby. "It's Christmas Time in the City" creates those warm and romantic feelings that we all treasure and wish for at the holidays with great performances by an All-Star Band of legendary musicians and artists.

It was probably decided even before Michael's birth that he would be a musician. His Grandfather owned a music store and was said to have played pedal steel guitar with Hank Williams, on a few of his honky tonkin' road gigs through the mid-west. Michael's mother was a dance instructor and his father was an officer in the U.S. Army; both were record collectors and big music fans.

From his earliest memories Michael Tinholme was exposed to music of all styles. Jazz, Gospel, Country, Rock-n-Roll and Classical were played non-stop in their traveling home. Over the years his parents took him to see concerts of legendary artists such as Duke Ellington, Count Bassie, Lionel Hampton, Mahalia Jackson, Buddy Rich, Tony Bennett, The Vienna Boys Choir and even David Bowie, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones. ***

After six years of homelessness, Michael came off the streets at 21 years old. He soon put a band together and began to gig again. He was promptly signed to a management contract and was soon being courted by top record labels. Michael Tinholme was still tormented by the demons that put him on the streets as a teenager and the pressures for success were great. Unable to cope with the expectations that went beyond singing and performing Michael ran away from his band "Many Roads," his manager Jim Nestor and all the wonderful opportunity's that were presented to him.

Summer 2007: The singer/songwriter Michael Tinholme and Tom Fowler, legendary bass player/producer for Mr. Ray Charles, were introduced one late Los Angeles evening around a grand piano where Michael sang and played some standards and a few of his originals. Michael Tinholme and Tom Fowler have been working together and recording non-stop with some of the world's most accomplished and renowned musicians ever since. ***

Spanning from despair and homelessness to working with the world's most renowned and accomplished musicians Michael Tinholme has emerged as a singer and songsmith with a special gift and a compelling personal story. This landmark CD unfolds like a score to a major feature film about the longing for love and justice followed by hope and renewal.

Christmas 2008: Michael Tinholme releases "The Lost Christmas Card" with his original song "When Winter Falls on New York The Whole World Knows it's Christmas Time" featuring legendary saxophonist Albert Wing and an all-star cast of great musicians.

Michael Tinholme

It's Christmas Time in the City

Artist link

Track List