JAM: December 2004/January 2005 Issue: Christmas Time Is Here

Christmastime is Here

Has the traditional, overplayed Christmas music put you in the ba-humbug spirit? If you are a jazz lover, or know someone who is, these refreshing jazz CDs are just what you need.

Christmastime with Jim & Mike

The combination of Mike Ning's piano and Jim Mair's tenor and soprano saxophones will add a whimsical yet melancholy mood to any holiday gathering. Both young and old hearts smile during their collaboration on classics such as ”Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “My Favorite Things.” And, a tear or two may reveal itself during their somber rendition of “A Child is Born.”

Neither Jim nor Mike takes the lead in this nostalgic yuletide tribute, but each has his share of solos. Jim's smoky sax is highlighted on the classics “Auld Lang Syne” and “Christmas Time Is Here.” Crisp and snappy interludes by Mike Ning on “Winter Wonderland,” “White Christmas,” and “Jingle Bells,” one of the more upbeat tracks presented, will get toes tapping. Most tunes have a comfortable repartee with both Jim and Mike sharing solo time. “The Christmas Song,” “I'll Be Home For Christmas,” “Snowfall/Let it Snow” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” all perfectly reflect what a comfortable pairing this is.

With a running time of 35 minutes, Christmastime with Jim and Mike , hardly seems enough time with these two old friends, but it will get you through one round of eggnog. Cheers!

Christmastime with Jim & Mike can be purchased at Cascone's in Overland Park .

Turning on the Holidays
(Rotary Club 13 Benefit CD)

Charity is said to be where the heart is and at during the holiday season many causes pull at our purse strings. But few Benefit Christmas compilation CDs do it with the diversity of plucks and yanks as Turning On The Holidays . Rotary Club 13's stated cause, “… help eradicate polio worldwide.”

The cliché “something for everyone” rings true on this 20 track CD of both traditional and original Christmas fare.

Traditional fare is served up in the unique vocal styling of pianist Candace Evans on, “I'll Be Home for Christmas.” A saucy, sultry “Snowfall /Let It Snow,” is served up by the husband and wife team of pianist Mike and vocalist Sherry Jones-Ning.

A smorgasbord of genres will satisfy most tastes. The K.C. Tailgate Band offers two delightful but short ragtime ditties: “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” Max Groove does just that on “Little Drummer Boy”, while Rich Hill's “What Are You Doing for Christmas” and Greg Meise & Friends “Christmas Time Is Here” are laid back contemporary morsels.

Original words and music are featured in two tracks. We can all relate to the realities of the season represented in the lyrics of pianist Carl Bolte's “Tiny Tim,” on which he shares, “Because we're poor, no present will be on our tree, but you can't beat a turkey to eat with folks I love who love me.” A modern day parallel is Tom Hall & The Fairway Trio's deliciously cynical; “I'm in the Hole for Christmas.”

Two of the more unique pieces are a German to English translation of “O Tannenbaum” by accordionist Willie Kirst and his Band and Cheating Kay's New Age vocal duet “O Come Emmanuel.”

Turn on your holidays by purchasing this CD at www.rotary13.org.

Tim Whitmer: 88 Keys for Christmas

Depth, richness and varied cadence distinguish the 13 tracks on this CD from other well-known solo piano efforts. His arrangements are refreshingly creative, but his signature style of low and high note combinations remains. Like fresh floral bouquets, he tenderly picks bunches, breaks them apart and present them as he pleases with striking results. Illustrative of this technique are his original compositions, “Plaza Tidings,” and enhanced “Jingle Bells” and “Frosty The Snowman.” Bars of “Auld Lang Syne” easily find there way into his take on “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” “Silent Night,” the longest track on the CD, is a testament of his talent for fancy finger work It is a cleverly crafted blues-gospel translation you might expect to hear coming from a smoke-filled revival tent. Take my word. This is just one more way Tim Whitmer's 88 Keys for Christmas leaves you longing for 88 more.

88 Keys for Christmas can be purchased at the Kansas City Star Store, Unity Temple on the Plaza and www.timwhitmer.com.

-- Dauphine Sowell






	Search our site:		Christmastime is Here Has the traditional, overplayed Christmas music put you in the ba-humbug spirit? If you are a jazz lover, or know someone who is, these refreshing jazz CDs are just what you need. Christmastime with Jim & Mike The combination of Mike Ning's piano and Jim Mair's tenor and soprano saxophones will add a whimsical yet melancholy mood to any holiday gathering. Both young and old hearts smile during their collaboration on classics such as ”Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “My Favorite Things.” And, a tear or two may reveal itself during their somber rendition of “A Child is Born.” Neither Jim nor Mike takes the lead in this nostalgic yuletide tribute, but each has his share of solos. Jim's smoky sax is highlighted on the classics “Auld Lang Syne” and “Christmas Time Is Here.” Crisp and snappy interludes by Mike Ning on “Winter Wonderland,” “White Christmas,” and “Jingle Bells,” one of the more upbeat tracks presented, will get toes tapping. Most tunes have a comfortable repartee with both Jim and Mike sharing solo time. “The Christmas Song,” “I'll Be Home For Christmas,” “Snowfall/Let it Snow” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” all perfectly reflect what a comfortable pairing this is. With a running time of 35 minutes, Christmastime with Jim and Mike , hardly seems enough time with these two old friends, but it will get you through one round of eggnog. Cheers! Christmastime with Jim & Mike can be purchased at Cascone's in Overland Park . Turning on the Holidays (Rotary Club 13 Benefit CD) Charity is said to be where the heart is and at during the holiday season many causes pull at our purse strings. But few Benefit Christmas compilation CDs do it with the diversity of plucks and yanks as Turning On The Holidays . Rotary Club 13's stated cause, “… help eradicate polio worldwide.” The cliché “something for everyone” rings true on this 20 track CD of both traditional and original Christmas fare. Traditional fare is served up in the unique vocal styling of pianist Candace Evans on, “I'll Be Home for Christmas.” A saucy, sultry “Snowfall /Let It Snow,” is served up by the husband and wife team of pianist Mike and vocalist Sherry Jones-Ning. A smorgasbord of genres will satisfy most tastes. The K.C. Tailgate Band offers two delightful but short ragtime ditties: “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” Max Groove does just that on “Little Drummer Boy”, while Rich Hill's “What Are You Doing for Christmas” and Greg Meise & Friends “Christmas Time Is Here” are laid back contemporary morsels. Original words and music are featured in two tracks. We can all relate to the realities of the season represented in the lyrics of pianist Carl Bolte's “Tiny Tim,” on which he shares, “Because we're poor, no present will be on our tree, but you can't beat a turkey to eat with folks I love who love me.” A modern day parallel is Tom Hall & The Fairway Trio's deliciously cynical; “I'm in the Hole for Christmas.” Two of the more unique pieces are a German to English translation of “O Tannenbaum” by accordionist Willie Kirst and his Band and Cheating Kay's New Age vocal duet “O Come Emmanuel.” Turn on your holidays by purchasing this CD at www.rotary13.org. Tim Whitmer: 88 Keys for Christmas Depth, richness and varied cadence distinguish the 13 tracks on this CD from other well-known solo piano efforts. His arrangements are refreshingly creative, but his signature style of low and high note combinations remains. Like fresh floral bouquets, he tenderly picks bunches, breaks them apart and present them as he pleases with striking results. Illustrative of this technique are his original compositions, “Plaza Tidings,” and enhanced “Jingle Bells” and “Frosty The Snowman.” Bars of “Auld Lang Syne” easily find there way into his take on “We Wish You A Merry Christmas.” “Silent Night,” the longest track on the CD, is a testament of his talent for fancy finger work It is a cleverly crafted blues-gospel translation you might expect to hear coming from a smoke-filled revival tent. Take my word. This is just one more way Tim Whitmer's 88 Keys for Christmas leaves you longing for 88 more. 88 Keys for Christmas can be purchased at the Kansas City Star Store, Unity Temple on the Plaza and www.timwhitmer.com. -- Dauphine Sowell RETURN TO DECEMBER 2004/JANUARY 2005 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2004. All rights reserved.