ARTIST: Skafish
TITLE: Tidings of Comfort and Joy: A Jazz Piano Trio Christmas
LABEL: La Befana Records
GENRE: Jazz
BITRATE: 196kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 1h 07m total
RELEASE DATE: 2006-00-00
RIP DATE: 2006-11-09
Track List
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1. Joy To The World 4:07
2. Deck The Halls 3:33
3. The First Noel 3:39
4. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear 5:14
5. Silent Night 5:09
6. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 4:54
7. O Come O Come Emmanuel 5:37
8. What Child Is This 4:27
9. Angels We Have Heard On High 4:58
10. Away In A Manger 4:54
11. We Three Kings Fusion 10:27
12. God Rest Ye Merry Gents 5:57
13. Jingle Bells 5:02
Release Notes:
CHRISTMAS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!
Syncopate! Percolate! Deck-The-Halls-With-Boughs-of-Hollyate! Put aside the
holiday caroling this year and groove up to Christmas jazz in a free-and-easy
soulful sound thatÆs smooth, sprightly and utterly surprising to the senses.
Tidings of Comfort and Joy, A Jazz Piano Trio Christmas is a collection of
thirteen of your favorite yuletide classics as youÆve never heard them before -
ear-pleasing and ear-perking treats packed together like an assortment of gifts
in an overstuffed Christmas stockingàa sound of cheerful familiarity, a dynamic
trio of piano, bass and drums arranged and delivered to your ears in uplifting,
spirited, innovative waysàa masterful conversion of traditional harmonies into
effervescent pieces ranging from swing to progressive fusionàthe sound of your
favorites that are also pure jazz and purely, singularly unique.
Early reviews from first listeners of this CD have brought back comments like
amazingà sheer greatnessàdeserves a long standing ovationàabsolute
standoutàgives me chillsàcomforts as it thrillsàtranscendent sounds.
Who other than Jim Skafish could deliver these amazing sounds to you? In
February 1976, he appeared in the public limelight as a burst of genius
punctuating the musical scene. Acknowledged as the sole originator and Godfather
of ChicagoÆs punk, new wave, alternative and indie rock movements, Skafish was
the first Chicago artist of these genres to perform at CBGBÆs in New York in
April 1977; The Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles in February 1978; and to appear
in London before an audience of 45,000 with The Police, UB-40 and Squeeze in
July 1980. He has also toured and/or performed with the likes of: Ramones, Iggy
Pop, The Police, U-2, The Stranglers, Squeeze, Ultravox, Scorpions, UB-40, The
Cramps, The Mumps, XTC, The Lemonheads and Dead Boys.
All who experienced Skafish agree that this pioneering innovatorÆs sound was
unlike anything they had previously heard. Billy Cox of PolyGram Records told
Skafish, ôI believe you started alternative music worldwide.ö Both the performer
and his music were like a bolt of lightning that suddenly materialized as if
from another dimension. A phenomenon had arrived and it bore a name: Skafish!
Now itÆs Skafish returned, at Christmas time, and the motif is jazz û no alien
territory to his vast range and repertoire. Regarded as a child prodigy and
musical genius by his blind piano teacher at age six, Skafish's earliest
compositions were instrumental jazz. In high school, he formed the Jim Skafish
Group, a jazz trio, while also studying with international jazz legend Willie
Pickens at ChicagoÆs American Conservatory.
As his improvisational skills on the piano grew exponentially over the years,
some of the musical greats who commented on his talent included jazz legend Stan
Kenton, who called him ôa geniusö after hearing one of his original rock song
demo tapes; to blues master Willie Dixon who referred to Skafish as ôthe best
musician I know;ö to the peerless Muddy Waters who was quoted in a 1981 UPI news
story as saying, ôWhen Jim Skafish walks into the room, I could swear it was
Mick Jagger.ö
Skafish was a pioneer perhaps decades ahead of his time. While recognized by the
greats of jazz and rock as a musical giant, the commercial victory he deserved
would remain a step behind. In 1983, Skafish turned to his virtuoso as a
pianist, teaching privately and performing gigs anywhere and everywhere. This
included playing private Christmas parties as a solo pianist. Improvisation had
come second nature to him since childhood, and improvising on-the-spot jazz
arrangements of Christmas carols evoked an overwhelming response among all who
heard and witnessed this feat.
Now SkafishÆs multidimensional talent turns to Christmas jazz again, in an album
just in time for the holidays.
Jazz aficionados have marveled at his skill and artistry as he takes simple
traditional holiday melodies and transforms them through altered harmonies,
unique rhythmical structures and stylized improvisations into one-of-a-kind new
and bonafide jazz compositions.
You will never hear renditions the likes of We Three Kings Fusion; God Rest Ye
Merry Gents; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; O Come O Come Emmanuel; or the
remaining nine enduring Christmas classics brought to you in this incomparable
album. Skafish has arranged and delivered these treats especially for you for
your listening rapture. Christmas will never be the same again!
Move over Santa, here comes Skafish!