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| George Gee Swing Orchestra "Winter Wonderland" + Big Band Holiday Party Sunday Dec. 10th Birdland  Winter Wonderland features Yuletide Jazz by one of New York City's top Swing Big Bands. The George Gee Swing Orchestra plays ten seasonal musical favorites arranged creatively by David Gibson with special vocals by singer John Dokes.George Gee Swing Orchestra "Winter Wonderland" Big Band Holiday Party Sunday Dec. 10th, 2023 Set Times: 530pm to 730pm Birdland Jazz Club 315 W 44 St NYC 10036 (212) 581-3080 Artist: GEORGE GEE SWING ORCHESTRA Title: WINTER WONDERLAND Artist Website: www.georgegee.com Release Date: November 1, 2023 UPC Code: 822371160493 TRACK LISTING 1. Winter Wonderland Mambo F. Bernard/R. Smith (Solos: Hendrix, Nelson Jr.) 3:25 2. What Child Is This? Traditional/Public Domain (Solos: Hendrix, Hashim, Gibson, Einerson) 5:17 3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas H. Martin/R. Blane (Vocals: Dokes, Solo: Gravish) 3:37 4. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen Traditional/Public Domain (Solos: Nelson Jr., Gibson, Gravish, Einerson) 5:54 5. I'll Be Home For Christmas W. Kent/K. Gannon (Vocals: Dokes, Solo: Einerson) 3:37 6. Baby, It's Cold Outside F. Loesser (Vocal Duet: John Dokes and Hilary Gardner) 3:08 7. The Christmas Song R. Wells/M. Torme (Vocals: Dokes, Solo: Hashim) 3:51 8. O Tannenbaum Traditional/Public Domain (Solos: Gibson, Higgins, Hendrix, Einerson) 5:29 9. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? F. Loesser (Vocals: Dokes, Solo: Higgins) 4:27 10. Jingle Bells J. Pierpont/Public Domain (Solo: Nelson Jr.) 2:50 MUSICIANS: George Gee - bandleader, David Gibson - trombone, music director, arranger, Freddie Hendrix - trumpet, Andy Gravish - trumpet, flugelhorn, Anthony Nelson Jr. - alto saxophone, Michael Hashim - tenor saxophone, Patience Higgins - baritone saxophone, Steve Einerson - piano, Malik McLaurine - bass, Chris Latona - drums, John Dokes - vocals (tr 3, 5, 6, 7, 9) except for "Baby, It's Cold Outside" - recorded 2014: Ed Pazant replaces Anthony Nelson Jr. on alto saxophone; Tony Lustig replaces Patience Higgins on baritone saxophone; Marcus McLaurine replaces Malik McLaurine on bass; Willard Dyson replaces Chris Latona on drums Leader of his swing orchestra since 1980, George Gee and his band have been fixtures in the New York swing scene since the early 90's, with a long running residency at Times Square's SWING46 Jazz Club (currently year #26). Their newest recording consists of ten beloved Christmas songs which, with its David Gibson arrangements, are filled with swinging ensembles, passionate solos, and subtle surprises. The nine-piece group includes six superior horn players: trumpeters Freddie Hendrix and Andy Gravish, altoist Anthony Nelson Jr, Michael Hashim on tenor, baritonist Patience Higgins, and trombonist/music director David Gibson. Along with the rhythm trio of pianist Steve Einerson, bassist Malik McLaurine and drummer Chris Latona—they all have opportunities to solo in addition to adding their individual voices to the ensembles. The program begins with "Winter Wonderland Mambo, " a performance certain to delight dancers and listeners alike. This irresistible version shows that the song works perfectly as a mambo. The driving hard bop transformation of "What Child Is This?" finds the group sounding a bit like an expanded version of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. John Dokes takes his first of his five vocals during a warm rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" benefits from David Gibson's inventive writing while leaving space for creative alto, trombone, trumpet and piano solos, "I'll Be Home For Christmas, " which is usually a quiet ballad, is a real surprise for this uptempo version is quite rollicking and joyful. John Dokes shares the vocal spotlight with guest Hilary Gardner during a charming and humorous "Baby, It's Cold Outside." The set of Yuletide favorites concludes with Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song, " "O Tannenbaum, " "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve, " and the feel of New Orleans rhythms on "Jingle Bells." George Gee grew up in New York, played bass in high school, and loved big band swing from an early age. In college at Carnegie Mellon University, he hosted a big band radio show and had the opportunity to interview Count Basie. The very next day, Gee formed a 17-piece big band of his own. In 1990 he moved back to New York City and put together his Swing Orchestra. They have had a home base at SWING46 ever since, playing for swing dancers and fans on a weekly basis for over a quarter century. The George Gee Swing Orchestra has also performed (among other places) at Lincoln Center, Birdland, The Rainbow Room, Small's, Copacabana, and Django's; in Southern California at Merv Griffin's Coconut Club, The Hollywood Palladium and the Cicada Supper Club, and have toured Japan, Switzerland, Jordan, Brazil, South Korea and Canada. George Gee's Winter Wonderland will keep listeners swingin' not only during the Christmas season but all year round. Additional liner notes and credits can be found at https://www.georgegee.com/winter-wonderland write your comments about the article :: © 2023 Jazz News :: home page |