Description
FIRST EVER RECORDING BY THE PITTSBURGH JAZZ ORCHESTRA,
A HOLIDAY ALBUM DUE FROM MCG JAZZ OCTOBER 23
“JOYFUL JAZZ”
FEATURING ICONIC GUEST VOCALIST FREDDY COLE WITH CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
SEAN JONES AND MIKE TOMARO
When the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra formed in 2010, the co-artistic directors, Sean Jones and Mike Tomaro
decided a Holiday show would be a programming must. Now the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Holiday
Celebration has become a tradition for families all over the Greater Pittsburgh region as a way to take a break
from the busy prep of the season. That tradition found its home at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild (MCG)
Jazz. Jones, says, “We want to try to recreate the spirit of what the Holiday is all about.”
For years now, this very popular concert has spread Christmas cheer for audiences across the Pittsburgh
region. On Joyful Jazz, their first ever holiday release, the skilled musicians of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra
rendered a new treatment on holiday classics with wonder, bliss, and merriment. This exciting new holiday
album will share our Christmas joy beyond our borders and show off the finest musicians in the region. With
featured vocalist Freddy Cole providing his impeccable sense of swing, expressiveness, and elegance, you and
your family will discover the spirit of the season on this collection of Joyful Jazz.
The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra (PJO) celebrates Pittsburgh’s rich jazz history in the here and now by uniting
Pittsburgh jazz musicians of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to perform the broad scope jazz styles in an
orchestral format. Central to the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra’s mission is the creation of new works that
Eleven of the 13 songs on Joyful Jazz are arranged by Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra co-artistic director, Mike
Tomaro (director of jazz studies at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA). “Jingle Bells” and “Joy To The
World” feature PJO co-artistic director, Sean Jones (chair of the brass department at Berklee College of
Music, Boston, MA) and set the tone for the entire album, demonstrating the great pairing of Tomaro’s bold
arranging and Jones’ pyrotechnical trumpet playing.
“Jingle, The Christmas Cat” has become a signature holiday tune for Freddy Cole. This big band arrangement
stays true to the song’s endearing and amusing way. Other offerings by Cole include “A Cradle In
Bethlehem” and a new arrangement, commissioned specifically for Mr. Cole and the PJO, of “White
Christmas.” Arranged by Jay Ashby, this classic Irving Berlin tune is transported to the Sahara and given a
decidedly Middle Eastern flare. The fourth vocal track on the album features the late Maureen Budway on
“The Christmas Song.” “Merry Christmas, John Coltrane” is a new composition by Tomaro that combines the
basic changes from “Giant Steps” with a reference to “Deck The Halls.”
1. JINGLE BELLS (featuring Sean Jones)
2. JINGLES, THE CHRISTMAS CAT (featuring Freddy Cole)
3. CAROL OF THE BELLS
4. BLUE CHRISTMAS (arranged by Jeff Bush)
5. A CRADLE IN BETHLEHEM (featuring Freddy Cole)
6. DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?
7. IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR
8. WHITE CHRISTMAS (IN THE SAHARA) (featuring Freddy Cole) (arranged by Jay Ashby)
9. MERRY CHRISTMAS, JOHN COLTRANE
12. THE CHRISTMAS SONG (featuring Maureen Budway)
13. JOY TO THE WORLD (featuring Sean Jones)
Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Holiday Celebration at MCG Jazz will be December 12, 2015 and will include
special guest Ann Hampton Callaway. This is a live melding of two of MCG Jazz’ newest releases: PJO’s
Joyful Jazz and The Hope of Christmas by Callaway. Both Christmas albums release in October 2015. The
December concert will feature a mix of traditional favorites and brand new music from both records to
celebration the season in a new way.
