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Nationalux Admin 18 Nov 2019
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Alex Leonard, Silent Night, Merry Cool Christmas (jazz trio)

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Silent Night featuring Alex Leonard (pno), Steve LaSpina (bass), Dan Venditti (drms) from the album Merry Cool Christmas. Artwork by Rijou. Copyright/All Rights Reserved
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<br>Reviews:
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<br>Review from All About Jazz:
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<br>Merry Cool Christmas is the most fully realized and creative of all of the Holiday offerings I have heard this year. .is the most intriguing release of the 2002 holiday season. .encompasses a broad horizon of musical styles and moods. As a microcosm of the rest of the record Silent Night illustrates a trio empathy reminiscent of Bill Evans famous 1961 trio recordings. This empathy permeates the entire recording as this fine rhythm section transports the listener through an engaging set of holiday standards. His piano playing is top draw, betraying thoughts of Bill Evans, Erroll Garner, and Hank Jones.
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<br>Review from Show Business:
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<br>Its positively perfect for trimming the tree, addressing holiday cards, and whipping up a batch of eggnog or just soaking in a hot tub after building a snowman. Leonards distinctive piano style is laid-back and whimsical on traditional carols and songs that hes jazzed up. His sparing vocals are reminiscent of Chet Baker and LaSpinas snazzy bass solos are a study in understatement. In the spirit of Vince Guaraldis classic A Charlie Brown Christmas, this is a great recording that will keep you smiling and tapping your toes throughout the holiday season.
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<br>Review from Cadence Magazine:
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<br>The most notable track of Leonards session. is that he contributes a worthy original song [Under A Blue Christmas Tree] .light-hearted, and certainly merits a place among more famous seasonal songs. .he sings in a light, casual tone with an easy-going, conversational delivery. .in so many ways it conforms to my expectations of a Jazz Christmas album.
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<br>Review from Jazz Now:
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<br>.theres so many different approaches and the CDs material is well ordered, the surprises are fresh and they keep coming even when you half expect them. .much of the CDs arrangements pay sly tribute to Vince Guaraldis soundtrack of A Charlie Brown Christmas -- in fact, if anybody ever redoes that Peanuts chestnut I nominate Alex Leonard to redo the score -- while Leonards vocal-based performances display ample wit also. His own composition, Under a Blue Christmas Tree, shows off his apprenticeship to the masters as well.
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<br>Review from Christmasreviews.com:
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<br>TOP PICK 2002 A skilled, schooled, cool jazz, it harks back to the Vince Guaraldi trio with its 60ish sensibilities.. This is the sort of record that would have been described in earlier days as classy. I enjoyed his relaxed vocal style and playful lyrical flourishes. His interpretations are lively and inventive. rich-textured sound with ample guitar harmonies and percussive variety, completely avoiding the oppressive dryness I hear in so many jazz recordings. Indeed, this is a recording that wont disappoint jazz listeners, but what I like most is its accessibility.
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<br>Review from ElectronicLink.com:
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<br>Alex Leonards newest CD, Merry Cool Christmas, says it all in the title. This Piano Master has taken traditional holiday songs like Silent Night, Little Drummer Boy, Away In A Manger, and Auld Lang Syne and infused them with his own special brand of jazz. The result is music with a playful spirit, a clarity of Christmas celebration, and some of the most amazing arrangements youll ever hear. Each song is a delightful combination of familiarity and soaring heights of ingenuity, making this an album youll want to play year-round. Just in time for the season, buy one for everybody on your Christmas list. Available in select stores and on the Internet. Cool, definitely cool!
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<br>Review from Musesmuse.com:
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<br>.cool, smooth jazz exuded by a talented little crew of musicians. .included is a frolicsome bit of Christmas cheer that will only add bright lights and full stockings to an otherwise stuffy Christmas (if you dont have this CD, that is).
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<br>Review from Lee Prosser, JazzReview.com
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<br>MERRY COOL CHRISTMAS is a fine collection of holiday standards with much entertainment value and is sure to please the jazz listening audience. Alex Leonard shares one of his creative compositions, Under A Blue Christmas Tree, which gives additional meaning to the phrase MERRY COOL CHRISTMAS. For those interested in a jazzy, enjoyable Christmas collection, this CD is tops.

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Highlights: Alex de Minaur (AUS) v Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) | Davis Cup Finals 2023
30 Nov 2023
Highlights: Alex de Minaur (AUS) v Emil Ruusuvuori (FIN) | Davis Cup Finals 2023
Nationalux Admin · 79 Views