Buon Natale - Joyeux Noël - Frohe Weihnachten - Feliz Navidad - Kala Christougena - Feliz Natal - Wherever You Happen To Be - Merry Christmas!!

 The Most Blessed Day Is Here

First, let me say - We wish every Vagabond at home, on the road or just enjoying the day in a place you've never been - MERRY CHRISTMAS! This has been a most trying year dealing with the Covid Virus, the masks, and the "Experts", in every language, trying to tell us all what to do. Today, however, is the day we come together with family and friends to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We will also happily watch the little kids, the older kids and the kids that just can't let it go get things they wanted and things they will return or stick in the closet. And, of course, we will enjoy great food and listen to Nat King Cole sing The Christmas Song for the five hundredth time! As we celebrate this great day, I hope you have enjoyed the songs I have put on The Nomad Architect.

Today, I selected one of the greatest classical works of music ever written. Ludwig van Beethoven only wrote nine symphonies. The Ninth Symphony was the first symphony ever written using singers. The final movement is called  Ode To Joy.  I hope you enjoy this powerful piece of music - Beethoven's Ninth Symphony - Fourth Movement - Chorale - Ode To Joy performed by The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchrestra and Singers and conducted by the ninety three year old Herbert Blomstedt. Seeing the pure joy on his face as he conducts this powerful composition shows us the true beauty of great music.

And, at the end of this very busy day, you can rest. Putting all the "stuff" away can wait. Just enjoy sleeping as you hear the beauty of peace and quiet from a tune written by John Lennon to his son - The Beatles - Good Night sung by Ringo Starr. God Bless you All.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!

D.L.STafford

THENOMAD ARCHITECT

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE!!! NO. 2 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 CHRISTMAS EVE IS MAGICAL FOR KIDS FROM  ONE TO NINETY-TWO

Today, Christmas Eve brings us all closer to our families and our friends, especially this year. There's something about this day of expectations for Christmas. The Christian World begins earnest preparation for giving and sharing as we celebrate the birth of Christ. I found an impressive tune celebrating Christmas Eve. Ryan Stevenson gives us a great fun song celebrating the beauty of this day as he sings  This Christmas Eve.

I found this Coke commercial, of all things, showing the beauty and love of Christmas. Very appropriate since coke is my favorite soft drink - ENJOY!

Who better to spread Christmas Cheer than The Prince of Wales and a talented group of British Actors reciting the best known Christmas Poem ever written - in support of the Actor's Benevolent Fund- Prince Charles and a fine cast of supporting actors bring us  'Twas  The Night Before Christmas.

It is my fervent hope that you and yours have a fabulous Christmas Eve!

D.LStafford

theNOMADarchitect

GOTTA HAVE SOME MORE JAZZ ON THIS WEDNESDAY - THREE DAYS LEFT - NO. 3 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

I've said it many times before, I grew up listening to and loving jazz. Old school to new school, jazz is a uniquely American musical invention. First on today's Countdown, listen to  one of the greatest jazz pianists to ever sit at a keyboard, Dave Brubeck. My wife and I had the distinct pleasure of hearing Mr. Brubeck perform twice - first, in 1969 not long after we met at The Atlanta International Pop Festival and later at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Saint Pete, Florida in 2013 at the tender young age of 93! Utterly Amazing! 

Please enjoy today's first Countdown Tune - Dave Brubeck and his two sons performing Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

Up next is a passel of amazing horn players bringing us some great jazz recorded around the world. I don't know how they did it but they did it right - The  Trumpet Bells of Christmas with a spectacular medley of Christmas Classics.

And for today's Bonus Track - Have a listen to one of the greatest jazz quartets to ever step on a stage - The multiple Grammy Award winning Manhattan Transfer performs two great Christmas Classics - Santa Baby and The Christmas Song.

I hope this music will jazz up your plans for Christmas.

D.L.Stafford

theNOMADarchitect

IT'S TUESDAY, ONLY FOUR DAYS 'TILL THE BIG DAY - TIME FOR SOME MORE HUMOR - NO. 4 ON THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

CHRISTMAS SEASON IS ABOUT LAUGHTER

It's Tuesday and it's been beautiful here in God's Country all day. I thought today migh be a good day for some cartoons. The first piece of creative movement art is entitled The Christmas Crow. It's very innovative and funny - Have a laugh from CHRISTMAS CROW for No. 4 on The 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN.

If you need some funny but brutal Christmas chuckling then this one's for you - Do You Like My Decorations.

And today's Bonus Track - It's not a cartoon, but, it is British comic genius Rowan Atkinson  as Mr. Bean directing the Carol Band - Enjoy Bean's Carol Band.

Laughter is good on Tuesday or any other day.

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

the NOMAD architect

DECEMBER 21 - HOW ABOUT SOME DUETS - NO. 5 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 DUETS ARE ALWAYS WITH US

Starting with the likes of  Nelson Eddie & Jeanette McDonald all the way to Sting & Luciano Pavoratti, and so many others, duets are always part of the musical landscape we listen to. First tune today is a very cool video featuring the best crooner singing today, Michael Buble', and former American Idol Contestant, Kellie Pickler, who's first album sold over a million copies. With a great band, great backup singers and a great arrangement, Buble' & Pickler give us White Christmas.

Cut number two, an unlikely duet by seventy year old Bing Crosby and thirty year old David Bowie. Two great singers from completely two different generations joined their unique talents in 1977 performing the  Little Drummer Boy (Peace on Earth)

And today's Bonus Track, through technology, Martina McBride, who was two when Elvis filmed the greatest version of  this classic in 1968, joins The King of Rock & Roll some forty years later for Blue Christmas.

Two are always better than one.

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

theNOMADarchitect

TODAY IS RANDON CHRISTMAS TUNE DAY - NO. 6 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 TODAY PRESENTS SOME FAVORITE TUNES OF MINE

Today's first Christmas Tune features a great singer and interpreter of music - Ray LaMontagne performs an amazing cover of the Ray Charles Classic with a small choir behind him - The Spirit of Christmas at The National Tree Lighting Ceremony in 2009.

It's no secret that I am a bona-fide huge fan of one of the greatest Texas Troubadours to ever grace a stage or record a note - Lyle Lovett. I have seen this master of story telling and creator of blends of country, jazz, big band, folk and rock like none other. Today, enjoy a great cover of a Classic Christmas Tune - Lyle Lovett & Kat Edmonson, another Texan, perform Baby It's Cold Outside.

Finally, full disclosure. I grew up on Southern Gospel Music. I started singing with my family at the age of twelve and my dad drug me and my brother to hear the Statesmen, The Blackwoods, and many other great Southern Gospel artists. Those experiences never left me. This unique genre of American Music is alive and well today with groups like today's Countdown Artists - The Martins, who started singing in their teens in 1987,  perform Go Tell.

Hope you're ready my fellow vagabonds - six days until Christmas.

D.L.Stafford

theNOMADarchitect

IT'S A CHRISTMAS POWER SATURDAY - NO. 7 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 GREAT POWER SINGING IS RARE BUT IT BRINGS PEOPLE TO THEIR FEET

The first time I ever heard David Phelps, the high tenor with The Gaither Vocal Band, I was utterly amazed. Not only his power in the upper register, but his nuance and phrasing on virtually everything he does places him in a small club of great singers. He has been with TGB for many years and has done many solo projects and recorded and performed with many great talents in Gospel and Secular music. Today, the first Countdown tune shows what real anointed power singing is. David Phelps, with a pianist and a choir coming in after the key change is the most perfect I have ever heard this classic Christmas Song performed. David Phelps singing O HOY NIGHT.

Next up - Power singing mixed with some blues and a killer band. This duet with John Legend and Katie Kadan, a contestant on The Voice, will rock your socks right off your feet. This is serious power singing with a touch of rock and blues - John Legend & Katie Kagan perform Merry Christmas Baby.

And last, but never least, the great Tom Jones, whom I have seen many many times, performs a great Christmas Classic with David Foster and his orchestra - Mary's Boy Child.

Power Singin for Christmas makes you you feel better about this time of year.

D.L.Stafford

theNOMADarchitect

WHAT ABOUT THE MOVIES ON CHRISTMAS - NO. 8 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

NO CHRISTMAS IS COMPLETE WITHOUT MEMORABLE CHRISTMAS MOVIE CLASSICS

Today, we're going to see and hear some great scenes from both classic and modern classic Christmas Movies. They make you appreciate what people do to make Christmas real, what Santa Claus really means to us all and what happens when a miracle occurs. One of the funniest scenes ever in the Modern Classic Christmas Movie starring Chevy Chase and a great supporting cast - The Christmas Lights Scene from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

This scene is one of the most touching in the Classic Christmas Movie Home Alone when eight year old Kevin is left alone for the holidays. Kevin Finally Waves to Old Man Marley in Home Alone.

In my humble opinion, It's A Wonderful Life, made by famed director Frank Capra in 1946, is the greatest Christmas Movie ever made. With the great James Stewart as the often troubled George Bailey and Donna Reed as his wife, this movie captures the miracle of life through Christmas. Capra said it was his favorite movie out of all the great ones he made. Enjoy the final scene in the great Christmas Movie Classic, It's A Wonderful Life.

Christmas really is an amazing time of year.

D.L.Stafford

theNOMADarchitect

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE SOME GOOD JAZZ TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS - NO. 9 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 JAZZ IS ANOTHER  AMERICAN MADE GENRE OF MUSIC

I started listening to jazz when I was a kid. From Frank Sinatra & Bing Crosby to Glenn Miller & Count Basie, I fell in love with this unique form of music that combines talent and creativity to make some of the greatest sounds ever performed or recorded. And we still have artists today that keep the evolution of jazz on an always upward course. Today's first Christmas Jazz Tune is The Chairman of The Board, Frank Sinatra performing, with the aid of technology in a very cool video, a classic Christmas tune with the Grammy Award winning British singer,-songwriter Seal - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

The one and only Tony Bennet and his orchestra brings us Silver Bells like it should be. Enjoy!

And today's Bonus Track features the incomparable Winton Marsalis and The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra doing their jazz interpretation of the classic - Jingle Bells.

Hope your day gets jazzed up listening to these great tunes.

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

theNOMADarchitect

TODAY IS A LITTLE BIT OF ROCK & ROLL CHRISTMAS - NO. 10 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 ROCK & ROLL IS AMERICA'S MUSIC

However, generally speaking, serious Rockers do not do a lot of Christmas Tunes. But, today, if you like Rock & Roll Music, you're in luck. First up, we have a joining of Country and Rock - Aerosmith and Brad Paisley  hookup to give us a taste of great Christmas Rock & Roll. Crank up the stereo and have a listen to Brad Paisley and Aerosmith lay out their version of Run Run Rudolph. 

Next up. One of the greatest Rock Bands ever - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers present Christmas All Over Again

And for a Bonus Track, the second greatest guitarist of all time, as ranked by Rolling Stone Magazine - The one and only Eric Clapton gives a nice Blues/Rock version of Christmas Tears.

Rock Music just makes you want to listen and move!

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

LET'S DO FUN CHRISTMAS TODAY - NO. 11 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 FUN, FUN, FUN FOR CHRISTMAS

Straight No Chaser started in 1998 at Indiana University. A video went viral with eight million views and they were off. They are still with us performing great ac-cappella tunes to delighted audiences everywhere. Todays Christmas Countdown Tune is complicated and vocally demanding. 

Enjoy No. 10 on The 2020 Christmas Countdown - The Christmas Can Can by Straight No Chaser.

Second up today is Adam Sandler doing a funny little Christmas Tune all the way from 1990 on Saturday Night Live when it was funny - The Christmas Song.

And no Christmas Fun Day would be complete without a little Carpool Karaoke from James Corden and The Late Late Show with a cavalcade of great singers doing Christmas Baby (Please Come Home)

Hope you have a fun day today. It's gorgeous here today here in God's Country.

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

HOW ABOUT SOME CHRISTMAS BLUES FOR MONDAY - NO. 12 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

The Blues are at the heart of  American Music. Since today is Monday, I thought you might have a bad case of the Mondays. Today's tunes will give you some pleasure as you get through the day preparing for the big day next week. I found today's featured artist a few years back. Keb' Mo'  plays some fine blues guitar and he can sing the blues with the best of them. The five time Grammy winner incorporates jazz, folk, rock and country into his unique style of Post-Modern Blues. 

Just sit back and enjoy today's first Christmas tune - No. 12 on The 2020 Christmas Countdown - Keb' Mo' performs  a simple Christmas Blues tune - Shopping On Christmas Eve.

With outstanding guitar licks and excellent blues singing, Mo' adds a little rock to his blues with a great video that gets people moving - Merry Merry Christmas by Keb' Mo'.

And today's Bonus Track - From Greenville, Florida, the one and only Ray Charles performs Merry Christmas Baby.

The Blues just makes every Monday better.

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

TODAY IS SUNDAY - LET'S DO THIS RIGHT - GREAT CHRISTMAS TUNES PERFORMED BY TALENTED ARTISTS - NO. 13 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

THE PIANO IS THE MASTER INSTRUMENT IN VIRTUALLY EVERY GENRE OF MUSIC

Today's first great Christmas song is an amazing performance by The Piano Guys, except, they all do different things to  the piano. Talent and creativity join to present a beautiful arrangement of a Christmas Classic. Starting on You Tube in 2011, this talented group of musicians, writers and creative artists combine pop, classical and their own original music to present an amazing set of compositions for piano and cello. 

Enjoy the music and the video - No. 13 on the 2020 Christmas Countdown - The Piano Guys performing, in a most unique arrangement, Angels We Have Heard on High.

Sandi Panty, known as The Voice during her multiple Grammy Award winning career performs  Oh Holy Night with one of the world's greatest choirs, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, founded in 1847.

Merry Christmas to You and Yours,

D.LStafford

thenomadARCHITECT

IT'S THE WEEKEND - HOW ABOUT SOME CHRISTMAS POP TUNES - NO. 14 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 POP MUSIC AIN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE BUT IT'S STILL AROUND

People my age often lament the lack of good pop tunes being done today as compared to the Fabulous 60's. There is some truth in that statement. However, some good pop artists are turning out really good tunes. Far less than during that time some sixty years ago. You just have to be open minded and look for it. And it's even more challenging to find decent Christmas Pop Tunes, much less Rock & Roll. I mean Mariah Carey released her Merry Christmas Album in 1994. That's twenty six years ago!!

One Pop Singer, Bruno Mars, has been around since 2010 releasing a variety of high quality pop tunes. His most famous tune, Uptown Funk, was released in 2014. This guy has sold over 130 million records, so somebody thinks he's pretty good, including me.

Take a listen to Bruno's live arrangement of White Christmas on The Today Show - No. 14 on The 2020 Christmas Countdown - Bruno Mars performs Snow White.

Next up - Justin Beiber became a teen sensation at the tender young age of sixteen. He was tagged as the King of Teen Pop. Selling over 150 million records, he continues to impress with his talent as a singer and performer. The second cut on todays' countdown - Justin Beiber doing Mistletoe.

In the tradition of groups like the Hi-Los, Take 6 and other a cappella performers, PENTATONIX has brought us amazing vocals and creative arrangements to every song they do., winning three Grammys along the way. So, enjoy this very cool pop version of PENTATONIX performing Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree.

 

Christmas Music just makes the day go better.

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

theNOMADarchitect

IT'S FRIDAY - LET'S LISTEN TO SOME GREAT CROONERS FROM THE 40'S, 50's & TODAY- NO. 15 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

KEEPING GREAT MUSIC FROM THE PAST ALIVE & WELL

The first time I heard Michael Buble', live in Nashville, Tennessee, I thought - this guy knows something. Buble' understands the  phenomenon of truly great American music - jazz, great crooners, romantic songs, big bands and other styles of music that ushered in the "modern" music of America starting in the early forties. He has almost single handedly brought that music back 

into the musical consciousness of America and the world. He has made it contemporary and relevant today. Like they say - Great music never gets old.

Listen to this current day crooner & lover of real jazz - No. 15 on The 2020 Christmas Countdown - Michael Buble' performing Let It Snow in a great video.

  

Second up - One of the greatest crooners ever - Bing Crosby doing White Christmas in the great film  Holiday Inn in 1942. The song won the 1943 Academy Award for Best Original Song.

And finally - A tune from The Chairman of The Board, the man that started it all. Frank Sinatra performing Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

Hope your getting ready - fourteen days till Christmas!

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

theNOMADarchitect

TODAY IS OFFICIAL DIVA DAY - AND THAT'S A GOOD THING - NO. 16 ON THE 2020 COUNTDOWN

TRULY GREAT SINGERS ARE RARE - TODAY YOU CAN HEAR SOME OF THE BEST - ALL FEMALE

I grew up listening to great singing of every genre of music - in church and live performances from huge to intimate venues. And I have a world class collection of long plays to prove it. The first tune today is a powerful arrangement of one of the best know Christmas Classics. When you put Kelly Clarkson, Trisha Yearwood and Reba McEntire together, you know it's going to be some serious power singing. The last verse of this song  moves me every time I hear it. These three accomplished singers bring power and nuance to this great song, which was composed in 1818 in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria by Franz Xaver Gruber. Now that's a mouthful!

Just sit back and enjoy these talented ladies present a powerful arrangement of the famous Christmas Classic - No. 16 on The 2020 Christmas Countdown - Silent Night by Kelly Clarkson, Trisha Yearwood & Reba McEntire.

Second up, take a listen to the amazing voice of a relative newcomer to the contemporary music scene, Lauren Daigle performing  Winter Wonderland. 

 

Finally, to give us a little jazz for Christmas - The Pupinni Sisters doing their version of Jingle Bells.

Today's tunes give us just a small sample of the amazing female singers performing today.

Have a Merry Christmas. It's getting closer by the day. I hope you're ready.

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

TODAY - SOME COOL CHRISTMAS TUNES FROM HUMAN NATURE & THE US NAVY BAND QUARTET- NO. 17 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

HUMAN NATURE GIVES US GREAT HARMONIES FOR REAL

Australia just keeps 'em coming. Today's Christmas Countdown features a unique take on two classic Christmas tunes from the Australian Band Human Nature. Starting in 1996 with their first album, this group of talented singers has become famous world wide. Their arrangements, combining classic doo wop  and newer vocal stylings, have made them a group that must be heard.

Today, enjoy the vocal creativity from this original group of four talented singers performing two classic Christmas Tunes - No. 17 on The 2020 Christmas Countdown - Winter Wonderland & Santa Claus Is Coming To Town by Human Nature.

Also, I found this very cool version of another classic Christmas tune - White Christmas by The United States Navy Band Quartet. Man, can these guys sing!

Great singing just makes my day better. I hope these tunes do likewise for you and yours..

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

DUELING BANJOS & GUITARS + THE JOHANN STRAUSS ORCHESTRA GIVE US A JINGLE JINGLE LIKE YOU'VE NEVER HEARD - NO. 18 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

JINGLE BELLS IS THE CLASSIC OF CLASSICS DONE RIGHT TODAY

The United States Navy Band is known the world over for the incredible music they bring to their audiences. Today's first tune features some amazing picking and strumming on guitar and banjo. This tune shows what talented musicians can do with this most popular Christmas tune, published in 1857. 

Please enjoy this very different take on one of the most famous songs at Christmas - No. 18 on the 2020 Christmas Countdown - Jingle Bells by the United States Navy Band.

Second up, the Johann Strauss Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor Andre' Rieu performing a lively fun version of the Christmas Classic with a couple of thousand revelers enthusiastically participating. I know the King of The Waltz smiles from above every time this tune is played by this world class orchestra - No. 18 on The 2020 Christmas Countdown - Jingle Bells by Andre' Rieu and The Johan Strauss Orchestra.

It is my fervent hope that today's Countdown Tunes get you in the Christmas Spirit.

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

theNOMADARCHITECT

CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT FAMILY - TWO TEXAS TROUBADOURS GIVE THEIR INSIGHTFUL TAKES ON FAMILIES AT CHRISTMAS - NO. 19 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

 ALL FAMILYIES ARE UNIQUE - ESPECIALLY AT CHRISTMAS

First up - a real country artist from The Woodlands, Texas, Joshua Hayes Carll. Known professionally as Hayes Carll, this Texas Troubadour gives us a simple heartfelt tune about his family at Christmas. Carll has developed a fan base of committed listeners who relish great storytelling framed by simple, well written music. With many AMA Awards and a Grammy nomination to his credit, this Texan stays true to his simple story telling talent.

Today's first Family tune for Christmas - No. 19 on the 2020 Christmas Countdown - Grateful for Christmas by Hayes Carll .

Families! We all have them. We all love them. But, let's be honest - All families have some dysfunction. Some more than others. But we all see it and whisper about it don't we? In honor of Monday this Christmas Season, I thought I would share a great take on the joys of families at Christmas to prepare you for what will inevitably be various family gatherings this time of year.

Robert Earl Keen is a another true Texas Troubadour. I had the distinct pleasure of seeing this unique artist live in Atlanta several years ago with my son. There's just nothing quite like singing a great tune like today's COUNTDOWN TUNE along with about 3,000 other country music fans. The audience knew every single word! Keen performs one of the truly great Texas Country tunes, The Front Porch Song, co-written with his life long Texas poet/singer/songwriter friend Lyle Lovett. Like all great songs, it tells a story of lament and life.

Today, for the eighth year in a row, is a humorous look at life and the dysfunction of people we love and appreciate. Robert Earl Keen performing MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE FAMILY.

I hope your family is doing well and enjoying the season.

D.L.Stafford

theNOMADARCHITECT

BA RUM BA BUM BUM- TODAY - TWO UNIQUE ARTISTS BRING US A CHRISTMAS CLASSIC -- NO. 20 ON THE 2020 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

The Little Drummer Boy is a classic everyone has heard in dozens of different ways. Originally known as  Carol of the Drum, it was written by an American classical music composer and teacher, Katherine Davis, in 1941 and first recorded in 1951 by The Trapp Family Singers. It tells a compelling story of a poor boy who's only gift to Jesus was playing his drum. Today you can see and hear two different arrangements of this classic Christmas tune.

The Australian Christian group for KING & COUNTRY appeared on the music scene in 2012 to much praise. Comprised of two brothers and many singers and players of many instruments and drums, they bring a unique and powerful sound of great vocals, high energy and performance skills to their audience.

You really need to put your head phones on to listen to and watch this video - NO. 20 on The 2020 Christmas Countdown - The Little Drummer Boy by for King & Country.

And for the second version of this classic, please enjoy The Alex Boye' Genesis Choir singing and dancing The Little Drummer Boy. The video captures the essence of the Christmas Spirit..

I hope you all have a Ba Rum Bum Bum kind of day today with family, friends and neighbors. 

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

theNOMADARCHITECT