Simeon Davis Group • Bah Humbug: An Absolutely Unnecessary Christmas Album

Bah Humbug An Absolutely Unnecessary Christmas AlbumWant some traditional Christmas music that’s somewhat jazzy and doesn’t sound like what you’ll hear when shopping at your favorite department store? Like the challenge of “ what jazz artist’s style is this?” Then you might just enjoy the new recording “Bah Humbug” by saxophonist Simeon Davis and his group.

Davis plays alto saxophone; Jake Chaffe, electric and upright bass; August Knobbe, piano; and Joshua Parker, drum set. These performers play on all sets except one. Vocalist Rachel Azbell performs  and percussionist Juan Gladamez perform on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”

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You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” was recorded earlier by different personnel which include electric keyboard, soprano and alto saxophones, flute, bass, vibraphone and vocals. Of course, listeners will recognize this as a “Dr. Seuss” composition with additional lyrics by Simeon Davis.

Likely all titles will be familiar to the reader. After all, this is traditional stuff—both old and newer. Sample titles: “Let it Snow”; “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”; “I’ll be Home For Christmas”; “Deck The Halls”; “Oh, Christmas Tree”; etc.

Sophisticated jazz listeners will have fun determining the jazz influences whether, Count Basie, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, Horace Silver, James Brown, or others.

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In my view, a fun mix of traditional Christmas music was a twist of jazz!

Dr. F. Norman Vickers is a founder of the Jazz Society of Pensacola/Pensacola Jazzfest and a charter member of the Jazz Journalists Association.

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