Merry Christmas With Love • From Central Texas

We all know the Austin area is a young musician’s paradise, and that San Antonio has a rich tradition of great jazz most strongly associated with Jim Cullum and the Riverwalk radio program. What always surprises me though is how many acts are busy working these scenes that we don't hear about at the national level. I feel like I'm more aware of local scenes than nearly anyone because of my efforts to review albums from younger bands, still I was only vaguely familiar with most names on this Christmas compilation featuring seven Central Texas jazz, blues, and western swing groups, and one solo pianist. A Christmas album might not sound like the best way to introduce yourself to a musician but I assure you everyone on this record brings personality into their performance. I think you'll have a good idea who to look up the next time you visit the area. Sarah Ulloa stands out as a singing drummer, Devan Jones provides a bluesy male vocal, and Noelle Goforth, in addition to having a marvelously Christmassy name, has a voice well suited to this material, it has a classic Doris Day clarity to it. Tracks include the classics like Jingle Bells, seasonally appropriate jazz tunes like "I've Got my Love to Keep me Warm", and fun little swing numbers like "Little Jack Frost Get Lost". The album was produced and made possible by Chris Alvarado, director of the Dirty River Jazz Band and its