FIRST EVER RECORDING BY THE PITTSBURGH JAZZ ORCHESTRA,<\/p>\n
A HOLIDAY ALBUM DUE FROM MCG JAZZ OCTOBER 23<\/p>\n
\u201cJOYFUL JAZZ\u201d<\/p>\n
FEATURING ICONIC GUEST VOCALIST FREDDY COLE WITH CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTORS<\/p>\n
SEAN JONES AND MIKE TOMARO<\/p>\n
When the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra formed in 2010, the co-artistic directors, Sean Jones and Mike Tomaro<\/p>\n
decided a Holiday show would be a programming must. Now the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Holiday<\/p>\n
Celebration has become a tradition for families all over the Greater Pittsburgh region as a way to take a break<\/p>\n
from the busy prep of the season. That tradition found its home at Manchester Craftsmen\u2019s Guild (MCG)<\/p>\n
Jazz. Jones, says, \u201cWe want to try to recreate the spirit of what the Holiday is all about.\u201d<\/p>\n
For years now, this very popular concert has spread Christmas cheer for audiences across the Pittsburgh<\/p>\n
region. On Joyful Jazz, their first ever holiday release, the skilled musicians of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra<\/p>\n
rendered a new treatment on holiday classics with wonder, bliss, and merriment. This exciting new holiday<\/p>\n
album will share our Christmas joy beyond our borders and show off the finest musicians in the region. With<\/p>\n
featured vocalist Freddy Cole providing his impeccable sense of swing, expressiveness, and elegance, you and<\/p>\n
your family will discover the spirit of the season on this collection of Joyful Jazz.<\/p>\n
The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra (PJO) celebrates Pittsburgh\u2019s rich jazz history in the here and now by uniting<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh jazz musicians of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to perform the broad scope jazz styles in an<\/p>\n
orchestral format. Central to the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra\u2019s mission is the creation of new works that<\/p>\n
Eleven of the 13 songs on Joyful Jazz are arranged by Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra co-artistic director, Mike<\/p>\n
Tomaro (director of jazz studies at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA). \u201cJingle Bells\u201d and \u201cJoy To The<\/p>\n
World\u201d feature PJO co-artistic director, Sean Jones (chair of the brass department at Berklee College of<\/p>\n
Music, Boston, MA) and set the tone for the entire album, demonstrating the great pairing of Tomaro\u2019s bold<\/p>\n
arranging and Jones\u2019 pyrotechnical trumpet playing.<\/p>\n
\u201cJingle, The Christmas Cat\u201d has become a signature holiday tune for Freddy Cole. This big band arrangement<\/p>\n
stays true to the song\u2019s endearing and amusing way. Other offerings by Cole include \u201cA Cradle In<\/p>\n
Bethlehem\u201d and a new arrangement, commissioned specifically for Mr. Cole and the PJO, of \u201cWhite<\/p>\n
Christmas.\u201d Arranged by Jay Ashby, this classic Irving Berlin tune is transported to the Sahara and given a<\/p>\n
decidedly Middle Eastern flare. The fourth vocal track on the album features the late Maureen Budway on<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Christmas Song.\u201d \u201cMerry Christmas, John Coltrane\u201d is a new composition by Tomaro that combines the<\/p>\n
basic changes from \u201cGiant Steps\u201d with a reference to \u201cDeck The Halls.\u201d<\/p>\n
1. JINGLE BELLS (featuring Sean Jones)<\/p>\n
2. JINGLES, THE CHRISTMAS CAT (featuring Freddy Cole)<\/p>\n
3. CAROL OF THE BELLS<\/p>\n
4. BLUE CHRISTMAS (arranged by Jeff Bush)<\/p>\n
5. A CRADLE IN BETHLEHEM (featuring Freddy Cole)<\/p>\n
6. DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?<\/p>\n
7. IT\u2019S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR<\/p>\n
8. WHITE CHRISTMAS (IN THE SAHARA) (featuring Freddy Cole) (arranged by Jay Ashby)<\/p>\n
9. MERRY CHRISTMAS, JOHN COLTRANE<\/p>\n
12. THE CHRISTMAS SONG (featuring Maureen Budway)<\/p>\n
13. JOY TO THE WORLD (featuring Sean Jones)<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Holiday Celebration at MCG Jazz will be December 12, 2015 and will include<\/p>\n
special guest Ann Hampton Callaway. This is a live melding of two of MCG Jazz\u2019 newest releases: PJO\u2019s<\/p>\n
Joyful Jazz and The Hope of Christmas by Callaway. Both Christmas albums release in October 2015. The<\/p>\n
December concert will feature a mix of traditional favorites and brand new music from both records to<\/p>\n
celebration the season in a new way.<\/p>\n\t\t\t