This Christmas jazz release was released in Japan by BMG. The excellent swing tenor
Harry Allen (whose tone is reminiscent of
Stan Getz) is heard in a quartet with organist
Larry Goldings, guitarist
Peter Bernstein, and drummer
Jake Hanna. Sticking mostly to familiar Christmas songs,
Allen swings his way through such tunes as "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," and "Winter Wonderland," with
John Pizzarelli taking a guest vocal on "Blue Christmas." This is a warm and accessible album that has its appeal beyond the jazz audience, although it will be difficult to locate in the U.S. ~ Scott Yanow