HOW 'BOUT A LITTLE JAZZ FOR CHRISTMAS - NOMADS? CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN NO.7 +

There's apple pie, there's baseball and then there is JAZZ.  Heard by aficianados and casual listeners the world over, jazz, with its African and European influences, is the most American of all musical genres. One could even argue that we would not have rock, pop or any of a dozen transmutations of modern music if it weren't  for this American music form. It's been around longer than you think and shows no signs of going away, only getting better with each new generation of innovators.

So, today, the last Saturday before Christmas, I thought Nomads the world over might like to hear some takes on America's best music. No. 7 on the Christmas Countdown plus a few extras.

Technical Note - If you  see multiple images you can either click the little circular arrow at the bottom left of the video or just right click and then click refresh in the dropdown menu to here today's countdown video. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Diana Krall. This chanteuse of jazz, with influences from Nat King Cole, brings a nuanced voice and great piano chops to bear on a live version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. We saw her at the Shermerhorn Center in Nashville and she did not disappoint.

Wynton Marsalis and his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra continue the innovative tradition of big band jazz with vocalist Rene' Marie performing 'Zat You, Santa Claus?. And I'm not bragging when I say we saw them perform this very song last year in my home town - Tallahassee. So there!

Here's one I found last year. Michael Buble' and The Puppini Sisters perform a killer version of Jingle Bells. I just know the Andrews Sisters are smiling..

The Count Basie Orchestra is still with us, even though the master left us in 1984. The current iteration keeps the unique sound of a piano centered big band in contemporary form. Sleigh Ride from one of the greatest big bands around. BTW - Saw 'em in 1963 while still a lowly sophomore in high school. With Tom Jones no less. Man I AM weird.

Chick Corea is the essence of modern piano jazz. Some might even say, hard to access. His talent is unquestionable though. Listen to this expressive  arrangement of What Child Is This and I think you'll know what I mean. 

And last but not least. Mel Torme and a piano is all you really need to here one of the greatest voices in the history of jazz. Listen as Torme' performs a song that he co-wrote - The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire). Truly Amazing!

Here's Hoping for A Jazzed up Christmas One and All!

d.l.stafford

THENOMADarchitect