New Music Monday Annual Holiday Edition

Tune in to Arturo Gómez on Lunchtime! Monday, December 4 at noon as we close out New Music Monday 2023 with our Annual Holiday Edition. New Music Monday will go into hibernation and start again on Monday, January 29, 2024, for a whole new year of new music.

Domi Edson Trio: “Jazzy Hanukkah”
This year Hanukkah, an 8-day celebration based on the Hebrew lunisolar calendar begins on December 7^th. Denver’s own bassist and educator Domi Edson wished to expand the jazz versions of traditional Hanukkah she grew up with, so she took matters into her own hands and released this swingin’ new recording.  Joining her is pianist Spencer Zweifel and drummer Bobby Wiens to play the modern arrangements written by Domi. Although made specifically for those who celebrate the holiday, Domi attempts to make the album enjoyable for all listeners, I believe you’ll agree with me that she has succeeded!  Later in the evening after New Music Monday, 12-4, KUVO Jazz will air the live version of Domi Edson Trio’s “Jazzy Hanukkah” starting at 7 pm.

Gregory Porter: “Christmas Wish”
The uber-talented and popular vocalist Gregory Porter after accepting his recording label Verve’s offer to record his first Christmas album, decided to compose three original songs reflecting his personal experience and wishes for Christmas. Six of the 12 songs feature the Kingdom Orchestra recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studio 1 in London, UK. One song, “The Christmas Waltz” written for Frank Sinatra in the mid-195os features the Swiss harmonica player, recently at Dazzle here in Denver, Gregoire Maret.

Mads Tolling featuring The Mads Men: “Cool Yule: A Nordic Christmas”
Children growing up in Copenhagen, Mads’ hometown learn about “Jul”, the Danish word for Yule which is the most celebrated of holidays. Tolling’s inspiration for his first holiday album was to share the traditional music he was raised singing and playing. Nordic Yuletide is a mix of several Nordic nations and mysticism that includes the huge Christmas Cat who roams Iceland and Sankta Lucia who fed starving Christians in ancient Rome. Finally, Mads Tolling pays homage to Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish writer of “The Little Mermaid” and his father’s favorite Christmas song, “Cool Yule’ by Louis Armstrong.

Ron LeGault Quintet: “Charlie Brown goes to The Nutcracker”
For the past 10 years the Ron LeGault Quintet has been performing “Charlie Brown goes to The Nutcracker” at the St. Julien Hotel in Boulder every December. Due to its acclaimed acceptance, LeGault decided to record the suite to expand his audience for this wonderful work of art. It’s no secret that jazz is Charlie Brown’s favorite music and that Vince Guaraldi who wrote and played “Charlie Brown Christmas” is his favorite pianist. Now, add to that, some Nutcracker songs from Russia and voila! “Charlie Brown goes to The Nutcracker is born for your holiday listening enjoyment!

Now in its 21st year of debuting the latest arrivals to the KUVO Jazz library, many of them are played ahead of their official release date. In addition to the music comments, I’ll provide a few tidbits about the artist, if it’s a new or an up-and-coming artist. It all begins at Noon every Monday.

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