Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet (“UVJQ”) is back just in time for the holidays! The singing oursome and their supporting musicians have put their creative stamp on the timeless art of sizzling, swinging 4-part harmony vocal jazz over the years with their original songbook recordings and celebrated collaboration album with the late saxophonist Richie Cole, who declared the group “my new discovery, the whole package.” Now UVJQ has released a long awaited holiday album which dishes up a smorgasbord of original holiday songs destined to become seasonal classics by the group’s principal songwriter and arranger Ginny Carr Goldberg (“Fool for Yule,” “Whisper,” “It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas” and more), along with their delightfully fresh takes on beloved holiday classics. Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet’s celebrated songwriting, hip arrangements, joyful delivery and eclectic performance range are on full display with this very special seasonal album.
photo Michael-G. Stewart
1. I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Irving Berlin, arr. Ginny Carr Goldberg) (3:24)
2. Fool for Yule (Ginny Carr Goldberg) (5:06)
3. Christmas Time is Here (Vince Guaraldi/Lee Mendelson, arr. Ginny Carr Goldberg) (4:08)
4. Winter Wonderland (Felix Bernard/Richard B. Smith, arr. Ginny Carr Goldberg) (3:30)
5. Whisper (Ginny Carr Goldberg) (3:32)
6. L’Amour Nous Entoure Ce Soir (Ginny Carr Goldberg) (5:18)
7. The Christmas Song (Mel Tormé/Robert Wells, arr. Ginny Carr Goldberg) (2:25)
8. Santa Dear, Where’s Mine? (Marilyn Shockey, arr. Ginny Carr Goldberg) (4:36)
9. St. Ita’s Vision (Samuel Barber, arr. Robert McBride) (2:37)
10. It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas (Ginny Carr Goldberg) (4:29)
11. Silent Night (Traditional, arr. David Nokes) (3:58)
Ginny Carr Goldberg, Robert McBride, Holly Shockey, Lane Stowe (vocals)
Backed by:
Frank Russo (drums)
Alan Blackman (piano)
Max Murray (bass)
Donato Soviero (guitar)
Chuck Redd (vibes)
Keith Carr (Irish bouzouki on “Silent Night”)
Ginny Carr Goldberg (piano on “St. Ita’s Vision”)
