Christmas
Arden House, 2025
9/10
The esteemed jazz vocalist, Judy Whitmore, brings along The Chris Walden Orchestra, plus many others, for these 12 festive tracks.
The upbeat and warm “Kay Thompson’s Jingle Bells” starts with plenty of backing vocals that complement Whitmore’s smooth voice, and “Christmas Time Is Here” follows with Josh Nelson’s cozy keys amid the intimate pipes.
Arriving in the middle, “Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season” uses Ray Brinker’s strategic drums and the elegant strings superbly, while “The Man With The Bag” enlists bright horns and Edwin Livingston’s well timed bass which suits Whitmore animated voice.
Getting close to the end, “We Are Light”, a sublime duet with Billy Grubman, tugs on the heartstrings with much emotion, and “The Ghosts Of Christmas Past” exits with the sweeping strings and Andrew Synowiec’s dreamy guitar finishing the thoughtful record with much sophistication.
Whitmore’s silky vocals are front and center here, but the well timed brass, winds and harp from Gayle Levant add much to the Big Band affair that reminds us of what’s really important during the holidays.
Travels well with: Judy Whitmore- Let’s Fall In Love; Judy Whitmore- Come Fly With Me