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| The New Christmas Classic By Shannon Kennedy Jazz Saxophonist, Shannon Kennedy announces her special holiday CD release 'Almost That Time of Year', through Angel Eyes Creations Records. 'Almost That Time of Year' is Shannon Kennedy's debut Christmas Album that showcases her skills as a unique and gifted vocalist. The album includes two of her own original Christmas songs, Almost That Time of Year and The Greatest Gift. In addition to a collection of traditional carols and contemporary seasonal music; such as Joni Mitchell's River and Michael Bolton's Our Love is Like a Holiday. The holiday album also features several well-known artists in the smooth jazz genre including Special EFX guitarist and band leader, Chieli Minucci, on Carol of the Bells. Greg Adams, from Tower of Power appears with Shannon on Baby It's Cold Outside, lending his sensitive trumpet playing to accompany Shannon on soprano saxophone. Peter White joins Shannon on the record including playing piano on River and Baby It's Cold Outside. Chicago's sultry guitarist, Nick Colionne, is featured on Santa Baby. 'Almost That Time of Year' exemplifies Shannon's skill as a producer, musician, and recording artist. Each song in this holiday collection captures the magic of Christmas in a unique style. The title track Almost That Time of Year is destined to become the new Christmas classic! "I really enjoyed creating my own interpretations of Christmas music, " said Kennedy. "I had the opportunity to work with a lot of fantastic musicians on the album; they truly brought the arrangements on my album to life." 'Almost That Time of Year' features Contemporary vocals and instrumental twists on classic Christmas music and New Christmas Classic originals by sax player/vocalist Shannon Kennedy. Best known to audiences throughout Southern California as a powerhouse saxophonist, the wildly ambitious multi-talented musician has added numerous instruments to her palette, including piano, pennywhistle and even Native American flute. On her upcoming fifth self-produced recording 'Behind Your Eyes', Shannon is also stepping out more than ever before as a compelling lead vocalist. Her expansion into the rock and urban markets with this breakthrough vocal tune builds on her enormous popularity in the jazz world via live solo performances at hotspots like Antonucci's in Mission Viejo, CA and the The Merc in Temecula, CA at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, where she plays straight-ahead jazz. She also has played venues like Anaheim's House of Blues with the popular O.C. based Sade tribute band Taboo, with whom she also shot a TV pilot. While showcasing her talents on all four saxes (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) and flute, her early 2007 album 'Steppin' Up' hinted at all of the diversity to come, with forays into pop, blues, funk, gospel, old school pop-soul and even more exotic influences like calypso, tango and bossa nova. She's developed her world music chops further by doing workshops and playing with the Southern California based flamenco-global fusion band Incendio. 'I never get tired of traveling and playing music for people in various settings, ' Shannon says. 'Nothing is more fun than going on tour. When I was 15, I went to an arts high school and we did shows all around the country… Still, as much as I enjoy performing onstage and with different artists and groups, my first love is the studio. I love writing, recording and putting songs together.' While continuing to develop her career as a solo artist and performer, she is also busy working on numerous extracurricular activities; writing and producing with pop/rock artists, writing and performing soundtrack and pop/contemporary music on her favorite new instrument, the piano. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Jazz News :: home page |