Christmas Hymnprovisation

Christmas Hymnprovisation is a collaboration between veteran jazz pianist/arranger Phil DeGreg and gospel vocalist Robert Lomax, as they present the traditional songs of Christmas in new fresh jazz settings. Robert’s powerful tenor voice is full of joyful conviction, and Phil’s long-time working trio performs with vitality and precision. Jazz fans and all lovers of Christmas songs will enjoy hearing the hopeful message of the Christmas season in this surprising new way.

From CD notes:

I have been thinking of making this jazz-influenced recording of traditional Christmas hymns for years.  Now in the fall of 2020, it feels particularly timely; in this season of darkness from the worldwide coronavirus pandemic and political division, I think we have never been more in need of “tidings of comfort and joy”.  I hope you can sense the powerful message from Robert’s voice, the careful, loving craftmanship of Mark’s production, and the steady and buoyant musical support of Aaron and John, my bandmates of eleven years. My sincere thanks to all of them, to my friend Al Harris for his ongoing support, and to God the Almighty whose mercies endure forever.

Phil DeGreg

October 2020

Recorded at Lausche Recording Studios October 22-23, 2020

1. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (traditional)
2. Hark The Herald Angels Sing (Felix Mendelssohn/ Charles Wesley)
3. Angels We Have Heard On High (traditional)
4. The First Noel (traditional)
5. Go Tell It On The Mountain (traditional)
6. Silent Night (Franz Gruber/Joseph Mohr)
7. Mary Did You Know (Buddy Greene/Mark Lowry)
8. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (traditional)
9. What Child is This (traditional/William Chatteton Dix)
10. O Holy Night (Adolphe Adam/Placide Cappeau)
11. O Christmas Tree (traditional/Ernst Anschütz)
12. O Come All Ye Faithful (traditional/John Francis Wade)

Robert Lomax, Vocals
Phil DeGreg, Piano and Arrangements
Aaron Jacobs, Bass
John Taylor, Drums
Mark Santangelo, Recording Engineer, Mixing, Mastering, Artwork, and Photography
Al Harris, Executive Producer

Sample Tracks

Go Tell It On The Mountain

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Hark The Herald Angels Sing

O Christmas Tree

O Come All Ye Faithful

What Child Is This