 New York (Top40 Charts/ Wynton Marsalis Enterprises) - Wynton Marsalis is back with Christmas Jazz Jam, his first holiday album in 20 years. Marsalis is partnering with Target to exclusively release this holiday essential currently available on iTunes and in stores nationwide on November 1st. The Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning musician and composer is joined by his septet for his 78th recording as they breathe new life into Christmas classics. Rooted in the spirit of New Orleans and the gospel church, these new arrangements of holiday standards are drenched with down-home soul and joyous swing. Marsalis's trumpet is joined by Don Vappie on banjo and guitar; Wycliffe Gordon on trombone and tuba; Vincent Gardner on trombone; Victor Goines, Wessell Anderson, Walter Blanding and Paul Nedzela on reed instruments; a rhythm section comprised of Dan Nimmer, Herlin Riley and Reginald Veal with the vocals of Roberta Gumbel joining the band on "Mary Had a Baby" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem". Christmas Jazz Jam brings the American art of jazz improvisation to traditional songs loved worldwide. It provides a great opportunity to discover and enjoy contemporary jazz. Christmas Jazz Jam Track Listing:
1. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
2. Mary Had a Baby
3. Jingle Bells
4. Blue Christmas
5. Go Tell It On the Mountain
6. O Christmas Tree
7. O Little Town of Bethlehem
8. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
9. The Christmas Song
10. Good King Wenceslas
11. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
12. Greensleeves About Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Marsalis is a musician, composer, band leader and educator. Born in New Orleans in 1961, Marsalis has recorded over 70 albums encompassing both jazz and classical music. His prominent position in American culture was solidified in April 1997, when he became the first jazz artist to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize in music for his work Blood on the Fields. He is the co-founder of Jazz at Lincoln Center, the first non-profit organization devoted solely to jazz. He currently serves as the world-renowned arts organization's artistic director as well as music director of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
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