Dr. Billy Taylor and Marian McPartland both told us to watch and listen for him. Christian McBride put him in front of audiences everywhere. He regales us with his creativity at every turn, while urging us to look over our shoulders to recognize the genius of Erroll Garner.
Pianist Christian Sands is a blessing to the music. And this season the blessing is his collection of Christmas Stories, with guitarist Marvin Sewell, bassist Yasushi Nakamura, guitarist Max Light, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, saxophonist Jimmy Greene and percussionist Keita Ogawa, and some strings for the pretty things.
From Monday, December 11 through Friday, December 15, one cut from the Christmas Stories album will be featured each morning on the New Day, New Play spotlight on my Daybreak show.
Preview “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” from Christmas Stories, above.
