David Ian - Vintage Christmas [CD]

Vintage Christmas Trio is David Ian's long-awaited full-length follow up to his debut success "Vintage Christmas." His purest release to date, this album features instrumental-only jazz trio interpretations of Christmas favorites using the most minimal elements-highlighting Ian's craft as pianist and arranger. David Ian's delightful performances transport you to an era that birthed the most sentimental songs of this season. The opener, "Deck the Halls" welcomes in the Christmas spirit with a swinging trio. David Ian's signature sound shines throughout the album as he transforms the often stately "Joy to the World" into a jazz/blues injected festivity and then carries the listener into a dreamier state with the ever-loved classic "White Christmas." The lyrical bass solos of Jon Estes tastefully splash their way on numerous tracks supported by the clever drumwork of Josh Hunt, who together comprise a perfectly ornamental rhythm section. "We Three Kings" takes on a new form with a reflective mood; an unexpected arrangement of a Christmas classic, more forgotten in recent years. In "Silver Bells," Ian masterfully and fluidly switches back and forth from swing to straight time. The close of the album is a solemn "O Come, All Ye Faithful," stripped down to just piano and percussion. If you listen closely, your ears might catch the chirps of a winter bird complementing this moving musical performance.