The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra: Underneath the Mistletoe

Glenn Crytzer has done it again! In 2018 we were so impressed by his double album, Ain't it Grand, that we reviewed it, twice, put him on the cover and ran one of his essays about arranging authentic yet inspired vintage jazz. This time he's harnessed these skills, and the respect he has among New York City's young jazz and swing musicians to set his sights on Christmas. It took some planning. Back in April, as snow made way for flowers, an idea for a new Christmas song got stuck in his head. As he penned it down the thought of an original album of Christmas music for full band developed. In the heat of summer he quickly raised the funding to bring a big band, complete with strings, into the studio. He signed up a plethora of young traditional jazz and swing players, 25 by my count. A number of them rising stars of the New York scene. Before the leaves had turned they spent a long day in the studio using the period recording techniques Crytzer has engaged on his previous albums. This meant ribbon mics on each section, a mic for the piano and for certain solos, but not recording each musician separately as is now the norm. As on Ain't it Grand, the result is a stunningly period sound. And as on that record my favorite tracks are among the eleven Crytzer's originals. An experienced leader, he has a very specific vision for each song and effectively engages the appropriate artis