Santa Claus is Going to Town!
Pianist/singer/composer Tom Grant has produced his second Holiday album featuring many of his friends, some of the Northwest’s most engaging jazz/pop artists. The CD is called Santa Claus is Going to Town! This work combines his jazz sensibilities with warmth, humor and soul. There are 13 holiday-flavored songs. Notable among these is a duet with Rebecca Kilgore on the Frank Loesser classic, “Baby it’s Cold Outside”, and a stirring version of Silent Night featuring gospel/jazz singer, Marilyn Keller. There are some sprightly jazz trio numbers with Dave Captein on bass and Ron Steen on drums as well as some more highly produced tracks, notably an almost country-ish version of Elvis’ Blue Christmas with haunting vocals by pop singing sensation, Stephanie Schneiderman. There’s something here for everyone, including some solo piano work and the title track which features tap-dancing by Santa himself. A version of Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride is replete with goof ball humor and musical mayhem reminiscent of Spike Jones. It’s a collection of material Tom has worked on over the years and should be on everyone’s Christmas list.
2. Baby It’s Cold Outside
3. Christmas Time is Here
4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
5. Blue Christmas
6. White Christmas
7. Red Christmas
9. Winter Wonderland
10. I’ll Be Home for Christmas
11. Hanukkah Candles
12. Sleigh Ride
13. My Favorite Things