GA Russell

BIG BAND CHRISTMAS One O'Clock Lab Band, Canadian Brass Ray Brown's Great Big Band Jazz Notes for Christmas Holiday/Jazz/NPR/AC Ray Brown Based in Northern California since 1975, Ray Brown has played with or arranged for numerous groups, including: Stan Kenton Bill Watrous Frank Capp & Nat Pierce, Bill Berry And The LA Band Full Faith & Credit Big Band JINGLE BELLS - 2:27 CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE- 4:16 A CHRISTMAS LOVE SONG - 4:41 HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS - 3:05 THE CHRISTMAS SONG - 3:09 BONUS TRACKS THE CITY MEDLEY - 7:16 AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL- 4:27 "It's as if the Canadian Brass put out a big band record" Keats Palmer - Nashville Music Review Website: SummitRecords.com TEDDY PENDERGRASS’ BELOVED 1998 HOLIDAY ALBUM THIS CHRISTMAS (I’D RATHER HAVE LOVE) AVAILABLE DIGITALLY NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME! The long-out-of-print title finds the legendary late R&B star putting his own special touch on holiday classics and soulful originals, including “Happy Kwanzaa” and “Christmas and You” Craft Recordings / Concord is thrilled to announce the digital debut of This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love), the sole holiday title--and final studio album--from the incomparable R&B star Teddy Pendergrass. Available now, the long-out-of-print album, which turns 25 this year, offers a soulful blend of original songs (“Happy Kwanzaa,” “Christmas and You”) plus an array of festive classics, including “Little Drummer Boy,” “Oh Holy Night” and “The Christmas Song.” Throughout his nearly four-decade-long career, Pendergrass was celebrated with a variety of honors, including five GRAMMY® nominations and a 1979 American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist. In 2021, he was inducted posthumously into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Pendergrass is the first Black Artist to have FIVE consecutive Platinum albums. When he began writing his first-ever Christmas album, Pendergrass was fresh off a starring role in the touring gospel musical Your Arms Too Short to Box with God and was readying to publish his autobiography, Truly Blessed. It was certainly a joyful time for the artist—and that radiates throughout This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love). Working with frequent collaborators like the GRAMMY®-winning songwriter/producer Reggie Calloway and songwriter/producer Jim Salamone, Pendergrass recorded an array of original material, including “Happy Kwanzaa” and the hip-hop inspired “Having a Christmas Party” (both written by Calloway). Other highlights include the Pendergrass/Calloway original “I Won’t Have Christmas,” while slow jams “Christmas and You” and “This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love)” blend romance with the holiday spirit. Pendergrass also put his special touch on a slew of traditional holiday songs: from a grooving “Joy to the World” and Afrobeat-tinged “Little Drummer Boy” to soulful renditions of “We Three Kings,” “The Christmas Song,” “Oh Holy Night” and the John Lennon / Yoko Ono classic “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).” Upon its release in September 1998, This Christmas (I’d Rather Have Love) debuted at No. 83 on Billboard’s Top R&B Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 2010, following Pendergrass’ death, it surged in popularity again, peaking at No. 43 on the Holiday Albums chart. The album, which marked Pendergrass’ 14th and final LP, was also received warmly by critics, including AllMusic, which proclaimed, “Pendergrass' smoldering vocals make This Christmas (I'd Rather Have Love) one of the most romantic seasonal records on the market.” Album producer, Jim Salamone shares “What a thrill to realize that Teddy's album is being re-released! So many great memories are attached to the creation of this timeless work. It will be very satisfying for people to be able to enjoy this record every Holiday season.” Adds Daniel Markus, Pendergrass’s co-manager “Teddy was very proud of this album. He put it all together himself with some help from the Calloway Brothers (of Midnight Star fame) and Jim [Salamone].” *** Multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter Teddy Pendergrass (1950–2010) was one of the most successful R&B artists of his era, despite enormous obstacles and a life-altering tragedy. Born in South Carolina and raised in Philadelphia by a single mother, Pendergrass was heavily involved in church as a child—not only training his voice in the choir but becoming an ordained minister at just 10 years old. At 20, he became the lead singer of the long-running Philadelphia soul group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Within months, they signed to Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff’s legendary Philadelphia International Records, scoring their first major hit, “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” in 1972. The now-classic song, which topped Billboard’s R&B chart and peaked at No.3 on the Hot 100, was the first in a string of bestselling singles for the group, including “The Love I Lost,” “Bad Luck” and “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (also famously recorded by Thelma Houston in 1977). As the group’s breakout star, Pendergrass embarked on a solo career, releasing his self-titled debut in 1977. An immediate bestseller (thanks to hits like “I Don’t Love You Anymore” and “The Whole Town’s Laughing at Me”), Teddy Pendergrass marked the first of five consecutive Platinum-selling albums for the singer-songwriter, making him the first Black artist to achieve such a feat. Among them was 1978’s Life Is a Song Worth Singing (featuring the R&B No.1 “Close the Door”) and 1979’s Teddy, which topped the R&B Albums chart, thanks to the sultry “Turn Off the Lights” (one of his signature “bedroom ballads”). By the end of the decade, Pendergrass was one of R&B’s biggest stars and a bona fide sex symbol, who was known for his popular “women-only” concerts. He continued the momentum as the new decade began, with Top 20 albums like TP (1980) and It’s Time for Love (1981), as well as Top 5 R&B hits like “Love T.K.O.” and the Stephanie Mills duet “Two Hearts.” But his life was forever changed in March 1982, when a car accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. It was a long road to recovery for Pendergrass, who underwent years of physical therapy. In 1985, he made his triumphant return to the stage during Live Aid, appearing in front of nearly 100,000 fans (and countless others via satellite) at Philadelphia’s John F. Kennedy Stadium. A year earlier, he recorded his first album since the accident, Love Language (featuring “Hold Me,” a duet with a then-unknown Whitney Houston). In 1988, he was back at the top of the R&B charts with his enduring hit “Joy” (the title track to his GRAMMY®-nominated 10th studio album), while the following decade would find him enjoying a regular schedule of releases. In 2006, Pendergrass announced his retirement from the industry, turning his focus to his charity, The Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, established to help others with spinal cord injuries rebuild their lives. Four years later, amid failing health, the singer-songwriter passed away at 59, leaving behind a rich musical legacy. About Craft Recordings: Craft Recordings is home to one of the largest and most essential collections of master recordings and compositions in the world. Its storied repertoire includes landmark releases from icons such as Joan Baez, John Coltrane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Celia Cruz, Miles Davis, Isaac Hayes, John Lee Hooker, Little Richard, R.E.M., Joan Sebastian, and Traveling Wilburys. Plus, the catalog recordings of celebrated contemporary acts including A Day to Remember, Evanescence, Alison Krauss, Nine Inch Nails, Taking Back Sunday and Violent Femmes, to name just a few. Renowned imprints with catalogs issued under the Craft banner include Fania, Fantasy, Fearless, HITCO, Musart, Nitro, Panart, Prestige, Riverside, Rounder, Specialty, Stax, Vanguard, Varèse Sarabande, Vee-Jay and Victory, among many others. Craft creates thoughtfully curated packages, with a meticulous devotion to quality and a commitment to preservation—ensuring that these recordings endure for new generations to discover. Craft is also home to the Billie Holiday and Tammy Wynette estates which preserve and protect their respective names, likeness and music through day-to-day legacy management of these cultural trailblazers. Craft Recordings is the catalog label team for Concord. For more info, visit CraftRecordings.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. # Artist and Track Title Time 1. Teddy Pendergrass - Joy To The World 05:01 2. Teddy Pendergrass - Little Drummer Boy 04:08 3. Teddy Pendergrass - Christmas And You 04:09 4. Teddy Pendergrass - The Christmas Song 04:09 5. Teddy Pendergrass - Having A Christmas Party 04:36 6. Teddy Pendergrass - I Won't Have Christmas 03:16 7. Teddy Pendergrass - We Three Kings 05:29 8. Teddy Pendergrass - Oh Holy Night 04:20 9. Teddy Pendergrass - Happy Kwanzaa 05:13 10. Teddy Pendergrass - This Christmas (I'd Rather Have Love) 03:47 11. Teddy Pendergrass - Happy Christmas 05:39 Staci Griesbach You and Me at Christmastime Impacting November 3rd, 2023 Format(s): Holiday Ring in the holidays with the perfect new original upbeat hit for your Playlists! “You and Me at Christmastime” is the lead single off Staci Griesbach's fourth studio album CHRISTMASTIME (Out Nov 10th). The playful original song features a "Meghan Trainor meets Katy Perry" vibe including du-wop background vocals and a catchy hook that will top this year's holiday playlists! “The holidays are such a special time of year, and I’m thrilled that my first original song leads the way for this album. ‘You and Me at Christmastime’ seemed to write itself and really kicks off the album in a fun, upbeat pop-forward way,” said Griesbach. “I’ve also chosen some of my absolute favorite holiday standards to fill out the record. As a child, it wasn’t really Christmas until we broke out Elvis Presley or listened to Karen Carpenter sing, and, of course, my country music idols are represented on this album with covers of classics by both Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson." For more, visit www.StaciGriesbach.com Contact Staci Griesbach stacigriesbach@gmail.com

Grey Cup Plays of the Week https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/20/incredibly-clutch-plays-highlight-the-timber-mart-plays-of-the-week/ ***** more Grey Cup articles https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/20/mmqb-un-autre-match-incroyable/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/20/montreal-alouettes-win-grey-cup-for-first-time-in-13-years-and-seven-other-thoughts/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/20/francophone-pride-alouettes-victory-in-110th-grey-cup-boosts-year-over-year-tv-ratings/ https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/kabion-ento-on-feelings-of-winning-grey-cup-meaning-for-quebec-players-covering-dalton-schoen/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/saving-the-best-for-last-grey-cup-was-excellent-end-to-2023-cfl-season/

Early Grey Cup reports Montreal 28....Winnipeg 24 I think my biggest surprise of this upset was that Winnipeg did not force Montreal to settle for field goals.` https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/19/110th-grey-cup-recap-montreal-28-winnipeg-24/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/winnipeg-blue-bombers-montreal-alouettes-grey-cup-nov-19-1.7033256 https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/19/au-septieme-ciel-alouettes-win-the-110th-grey-cup/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/19/3-stats-that-defined-the-110th-grey-cup/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/20/costabile-four-memorable-moments-from-the-110th-grey-cup/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/20/philpot-als-offence-step-up-to-win-110th-grey-cup/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/20/ento-delivers-big-plays-in-key-moments-for-als-in-110th-grey-cup/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/20/oleary-lifted-by-legendary-qbs-fajardo-breaks-through/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/19/winnipeg-blue-bombers-denied-dynasty-in-grey-cup-loss-to-montreal-alouettes-13-other-thoughts/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/19/boulevard-of-broken-dreams-montreal-alouettes-upset-winnipeg-blue-bombers-in-110th-grey-cup/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/20/inside-the-play-call-that-won-the-montreal-alouettes-the-110th-grey-cup/ https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/montreal-alouettes-rally-to-beat-winnipeg-blue-bombers-to-take-grey-cup-1.2038100 https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cfl-result-montreal-alouettes-triumph-over-winnipeg-blue-bombers-28-24-in-110th-grey-cup/

Yes, I think it is fair to say that winning three times makes you a juggernaut! Brooks, your package is on its way!

And that's it! This is the fourth big Grey Cup upset in the past seven seasons. This is the second time that I have won the contest, but since I do not win my own contests, the winner is...BFrank! Congratulations Brooks! This is your three-peat! Brooks, 1) please DM me your current address. 2) This year, you have a choice - jazz CDs or a Canadian football book. Please let me know which you prefer. Thanks for playing everybody! What a game!

With 13 seconds to go, Tyson Philpot has caught a TD pass to put the Alouettes ahead 28-24. And so now I'm in the catbird seat!

Winnipeg's Prukop has scored on a sneak with 5:12 left to give the Bombers a 24-21 lead. And so Felser now is in the catbird seat!

After three... Winnipeg 17 Montreal 14 Montreal scored a quick touchdown to make up for their failing to score at the end of the second quarter. Winnipeg again dominated the the time of possession. Montreal's defense is slowing down Winnipeg's offense, but they are not shutting down Winnipeg. And sgcim is still in the catbird seat! ***** Montreal's Austin Mack has caught a touchdown to give Montreal a 21-17 lead with 10:56 to go. So goodbye sgcim, hello Dub Modal!

At the half... Winnipeg 17 Montreal 7 Winnipeg again dominated the time of possession. Montreal almost scored with 8 seconds left, but Winnipeg had a great goal line stand. The halftime band is Green Day. I admit I have heard of them, so they must be superstars. The Canadians are very, very excited to have them perform at the Grey Cup. sgcim is still in the catbird seat!

After one... Winnipeg 10 Montreal 7 Winnipeg dominated the time of possession. Late in the quarter, they scored a touchdown following a bad call. Montreal then went 77 yards in four plays to score. So sgcim is in the catbird seat!

Last call! The contest will close at the top of the hour. I cannot see the Als winning a shootout. If they win a low-scoring game, Jim looks good at Montreal - 10. Winnipeg winning a low-scoring game gives sgcim a good chance. His tiebreaker would be anything less than 33. It appears that the league's website (to watch the game) does not like my VPN. If you tune in, try turning off your VPN first. https://www.cfl.ca/2022/11/12/gc110-winnipeg-blue-bombers-vs-montreal-alouettes/ I am currently listening to the Montreal radio pre-game show. https://www.tsn.ca/radio/montreal-690 Parlez vous francais? Try... https://www.985fm.ca Good luck everyone!

Grey Cup Depth Charts Two of Winnipeg's best players, Bighill and Schoen, are hurting, and will be game-time decisions. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/18/depth-charts-how-montreal-winnipeg-will-line-up-in-the-110th-grey-cup/ https://3downnation.com/2023/11/18/winnipeg-blue-bombers-list-adam-bighill-dalton-schoen-as-game-time-decisions-for-grey-cup/

Grey Cup picks https://3downnation.com/2023/11/18/3downnations-cfl-picks-can-montreal-alouettes-upset-winnipeg-blue-bombers-in-grey-cup/ ***** Grey Cup previews https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/18/costabile-what-the-alouettes-need-to-do-to-win-110th-grey-cup/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/18/steinberg-what-the-bombers-need-to-do-to-win-the-110th-grey-cup/ ***** The union has announced its all-star team. https://cflnewshub.com/cfl-news/cflpa-2023-all-star-team-announcement/

Here is the video of the head coaches' press conference. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/14/110th-grey-cup-head-coaches-conference/ ***** Injury reports https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/15/als-bombers-injury-reports-schoen-demski-sit-out-on-wednesday/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bombers-tight-lipped-on-status-of-schoen-bighill-1.7030992 ***** Special Teams https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/16/nye-breaking-down-special-teams-in-the-110th-grey-cup/ ***** Number crunching https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-GN-Gm-95-Grey-Cup-Preview-2.pdf ***** Many articles about the various CFL Award winners https://www.cfl.ca/videos/cfl-awards/ ***** McLeod Bethel-Thompson is considering returning to the CFL next year. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/16/former-argos-qb-mcleod-bethel-thompson-planning-a-return-to-cfl-in-2024-report/ ***** The league has named the MOP Award after George Reed. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/16/cfl-renames-most-outstanding-player-award-after-late-george-reed/ ***** Here is an article about the Montreal guy with the horn. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/17/making-grey-cup-noise-meet-the-fan-who-began-montreals-controversial-air-horn-tradition/ ***** Grey Cup preview https://www.cbc.ca/sports/the-buzzer-newsletter-cfl-grey-cup-preview-1.7032345 ***** Grey Cup Game Notes https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-GN-Gm-95-Grey-Cup-Preview-1.pdf ***** Passing match-ups https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/14/cauz-5-key-aerial-battles-in-110th-grey-cup/ ***** Here is the video of the Commissioner's State of the League address. https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/14/110th-grey-cup-media-state-of-the-league/ ***** Quarterback contrasts https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/13/ferguson-pivots-bring-contrasts-to-gc-matchup/

Thank you Joe!

The Athletics' move to Las Vegas has been approved. MLB owners unanimously approve the relocation of one franchise (msn.com)

A doctor, a lawyer and a mathematician are discussing whether it is better to have a wife or a mistress. “Oh, definitely a wife,” says the doctor. “Married men live longer.” “You’ve never been through a divorce,” says the lawyer. “Believe me, a mistress is far cheaper in the long run.” “It’s obviously best to have both a wife AND a mistress,” says the mathematician. The doctor and lawyer are stunned. “Why is that?” they ask. “Well, you can tell your wife that you’re with your mistress, tell your mistress that you’re with your wife, and get some real MATH done!”

And the winners are... Kelly Betts Oliveira Allen Leake Stiggers Dinwiddie https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/16/argos-rise-to-the-top-at-2023-cfl-awards/

Reggie Quinerly Explores the Possibilities of Afro-Latin Jazz with the January 19 Release of "The Thousandth Scholar" On Redefinition Music Recording Features the Los Angeles-Based Drummer-Composer Leading a Superb Quartet -- Pianist Manuel Valera, Bassist Matt Brewer, Percussionist Samuel Torres -- Through a Set of 8 New Compositions CD Release Show at Sam First, Los Angeles, Thursday, March 21, 2024   November 16, 2023 The rich straightahead jazz of Reggie Quinerly gets an Afro-Caribbean spin with The Thousandth Scholar, to be released January 19 on his own Redefinition Music. Quinerly’s fifth album finds the drummer-composer seasoning his musical recipes with what Jelly Roll Morton called “the Spanish tinge,” a sometimes-subtle Latin flavor that he achieves without sacrificing his distinctive soulful sound—and with the help of an ace quartet including pianist Manuel Valera, bassist Matt Brewer, and percussionist Samuel Torres. The form of the quartet, featuring both drums and hand percussion, is a crucial element of Quinerly’s exploration. It was inspired by two of his favorite albums—Herbie Hancock’s 1963 classic Inventions and Dimensions and Ahmad Jamal’s more recent (2012) masterpiece Blue Moon—both of which feature a similar quartet. “With every album, I explore different aspects of my influences,” Quinerly explains. In the case of The Thousandth Scholar, that list of influences has Valera’s name near the very top. Quinerly worked closely with the Havana-born pianist, who arranged the drummer’s compositions and coproduced the album. “The connection between melody and rhythm is pretty profound in Afro-Cuban and African music,” says Quinerly, “and Manuel helped me with that.” Additionally, percussionist Torres is a native Colombian, providing another important perspective on the Latin jazz tradition. Even so, those perspectives are not always easy to detect. Tunes like Valera’s “Invernal” and Quinerly’s “Children Song #10” make gentle use of clave beats and conga textures, while on the waltzing “Sam from Brooklyn” Torres’s whispery shakers are the only surface signifier of Afro-Latin influence. On other tunes, however, that influence is in no doubt: “Folk Song” is carefully built around the groove Torres establishes in his solo introduction, “Ray’s Tune” is a fierce mambo, and “Skain’s Blues” comprises a taut set of interlocking rhythms from all four musicians. Some of the songs, as their titles suggest, are nods to influences of Quinerly’s outside the Latin jazz rubric. “I’m so fortunate to have been in the presence of so many great people,” he remarks. “I wouldn’t be who I am otherwise.” “Sam from Brooklyn” expresses Quinerly’s fondness for an old mentor, drum and percussion teacher Sam Dinkins; “Ray’s Tune” celebrates the brilliant and steady hand of pianist Ray Bryant; and the harmonically complex “Skain’s Blues” gives the nod to trumpeter, composer, and educator Wynton Marsalis. Ultimately, though, that combination of influences only goes so far. It’s Quinerly himself who integrated them into himself to forge a unique voice and musical conception. Even as they’re newly steeped in Latin rhythms and textures, it’s that voice and conception that are of course front and center on The Thousandth Scholar. Reggie Quinerly was born November 16, 1980, in Houston, Texas, one of the garden spots of 21st-century jazz. Fittingly, he took an early turn in that direction. Lester Grant, who played drums in the Pilgrim United Church of Christ (where Reggie grew up), was a jazz master who became the young musician’s first mentor. Grant not only taught him to play but sent him on an odyssey of discovering the great musicians of jazz past and present. The odyssey took Quinerly first to Houston’s famous High School of the Performing and Visual Arts, then to the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York, and finally to the Juilliard School for his Master’s in Jazz Studies. There, his circle of mentors widened to include Jimmy Cobb, Lewis Nash, and Kenny Washington. Shortly after completing his degree at Juilliard, Quinerly recorded and released his first album, 2012’s Music Inspired by Freedmantown. It started him down a fruitful artistic pathway that has also brought forth 2015’s Invictus and 2018’s Words to Love, critically acclaimed albums that helped raise Quinerly’s profile in the jazz world. Last year’s New York Nowhere represented his farewell to the jazz capital and the start of a new creative chapter in Los Angeles. It was in the City of Angels that Quinerly conceived and developed the music that became The Thousandth Scholar. The enigmatic album title, Quinerly explains, “represents the idea that the journey of learning and discovery is endless. The numerical concept represents the many musicians that have come before me. In acknowledging their sacrifices, I hope to be a continuation of their artistic excellence.” Reggie Quinerly will be performing the music of The Thousandth Scholar at Sam First, 6171 W. Century Blvd. #180, Los Angeles (Live Stream tickets available on the website www.samfirstbar.com) on Thursday, 3/21/24. Photography: Jamie Millner    EPK: Reggie Quinerly | The Thousandth Scholar  Reggie Quinerly Web Site  

Dynamo Deb Bowman's new hit holiday single “Have YoursELF a Merry Little Salsa Christmas” has released on all streaming platforms Tuesday, November 14th with great acclaim! Staci Griesbach Christmastime Impacting November 10, 2023 Format(s): Holiday # Artist and Track Title Time 1. Staci Griesbach - You and Me at Christmastime 02:44 2. Staci Griesbach - Dreaming of Christmas with You 04:59 3. Staci Griesbach - Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me (feat Tamir Hendelman, Larry Koonse) 03:04 4. Staci Griesbach - Merry Christmas Darling (feat Tamir Hendelman) 04:28 5. Staci Griesbach - Blue Christmas 04:29 6. Staci Griesbach - Hard Candy Christmas 05:04 7. Staci Griesbach - It's Just Not Christmas Without You 04:58 8. Staci Griesbach - Pretty Paper 05:15 9. Staci Griesbach - It's Raining on Christmas 05:25 10. Staci Griesbach - What are You Doing New Year's Eve 05:00 11. Staci Griesbach - White Christmas (feat Jeremy Siskind) 04:13 Described as a vocalist with "an instrument pitched somewhere between Rosemary Clooney sass and Diana Krall smokiness" (Milwaukee Shepherd-Express), Staci Griesbach's fourth studio album is here. CHRISTMASTIME features 11 tracks, and four of them are written by Staci herself. Christmastime features original focus track "You and Me at Christmastime" along with three additional originals from Griesbach including “Dreaming of Christmas with You” and “It’s Just Not Christmas Without You,” both songs drawing on the longing feeling of spending the holidays with a special loved one. On “It’s Raining on Christmas,” Griesbach explores the optimism of human choice and power in making change in a difficult world. Staci's covers of "Merry Christmas Darling," "Santa Bring My Baby Back" and "White Christmas" are sure to please ears with her warm tone and swinging sensibility on the Elvis Presley cover. And keeping true to her "country meets jazz" vibe, Staci's interpretation of Willie Nelson's "Pretty Paper" and Dolly Parton's "Hard Candy Christmas" will give jazz listeners something heavy to chew on with soloists Jeremy Siskind along with Rich Hinman and Rahsaan Barber. CHRISTMASTIME is produced by Staci Griesbach for Hwy 76 Records featuring vocals by Staci Griesbach. Engineering and Recorded by Talley Sherwood at Tritone Recording. Additional Engineering and Recording by Harriet Tam. Editing by Harriet Tam. Mixed by Steve Genewick at the Stewart House. Mastered by Eric Boulanger and Jett Galindo at The Bakery, Los Angeles CA. Album photography by Kim Thiel and design layout by Gabriel Cervantes. Styling, hair, make-up by Staci Griesbach. For more, visit www.StaciGriesbach.com Album Artw... Press Rele... Radio Shee... Single Art... KATE SMITH PROMOTIONS CELEBRATE HOLIDAY MUSIC From Their Past to Their Present IMPACTING IMMEDIATELY Drawing from critically acclaimed Artists’ Favorites we bring to you a compilation revisiting Traditional Treasures and Originals from 2016-2023. MITCHELL SHINER - Latin Vibes LAKES CON SALSA A Latin Jazz Hanukkah Shiner Music MR004 (2022) Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah 4:00 (Track 03) Mitchell Shiner Latin Vibes is a Latin Jazz band from Milwaukee, WI. Exploring the music of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Brazil, Latin Vibes blends popular and folkloric grooves with contemporary jazz. Bringing creativity, virtuosity, and “el espíritu del Caribe” here is Mitchell Shiner Latin Vibes. MIGUEL DE LEON - SAMBA DE NATAL Self-Release (2021) A Christmas Samba 4:12 (Track 02) Raised in a musical Mexican American family, Miguel de León remembers connecting deeply to the sounds of music he heard around him while growing up: the radio hits of Mexican artists in his parent’s record collection, and hearing recordings of Sergio Mendes & Brazil 66. In 1985 Miguel made his first trip to Brazil and was enraptured by the people, the culture, and the music. Miguel’s goal is to use his gift of music as a means to bridge the gap between different musical styles and languages, continually exploring and learning about the world of music. To that end, Miguel now releases, for the holidays, in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian – as well as an Instrumental version – SAMBA DE NATAL. DAVE STRYKER - EIGHT TRACK CHRISTMAS Strikezone Recorde 8819 (2019) O’Tannenbaum 5:25 (Track 10) Dave Stryker-guitar, Stefon Harris-vibes, Jared Gold-organ, McClenty Hunter-drums, Myra Casales-percussion. Stryker and the band do indeed put their stamp on Christmas songs old and new including more recent tunes such as Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas,” John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War is Over)," Vince Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time Is Here,” and a bluesy take on “Blue Christmas." They also put a new jazz spin on Christmas classics “What Child is This,” “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen,” “Sleigh Ride,” “We Three Kings,” and “O Tannenbaum” (featuring Eight Track II’s Steve Nelson). Perhaps the most fun is “Soulful Frosty,” Stryker’s mash-up of Young-Holt Unlimited’s classic “Soulful Strut” and “Frosty the Snowman”! UPTOWN VOCAL JAZZ QUARTET - FOOLS FOR YULE HouseKat Records HKR005 (2021) I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm 3:24 (Track 01) If you dig jazz vocalese, then this is the holiday album for you. Vocalist Ginny Carr Goldberg leads and serves as the chief arranger for this vocal-jazz quartet along the lines of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross or Manhattan Transfer dishing up a smorgasbord of brand new original holiday songs by the group’s leader (“Fool for Yule,” “Whisper,” “It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas”), along with their delightfully fresh takes on holiday classics. CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO SUSIE BLUE AND THE LONESOME FELLAS - SUSIE BLUE CHRISTMAS Seraphic Records (2022) Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me 2:41 (Track 01) Happy Holidays! This is a collection of studio and live recordings featuring playing and solos by the Lonesome Fellas and some special guests including Shane Guse on fiddle from Western Swing Authority, bassist Joe Policastro sitting in on "Blue Xmas", and Brazillian guitarist and vocalist Paulinho Garcia dueting with Susie on "Silent Night" from a live recording in Chicago. We hope that you enjoy our homey holiday offering, Merry Christmas! CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO AMBER WEEKES - THE GATHERING Amber Inn Records (2020) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause 3:35 (Track 01) An Inventive, Heartfelt, and Surprising Christmas Album in a Diverse Program Filled with Swingers, Ballads, and Soulful Departures… Amber has a spirit and soulful quality in her lovely voice and she knows, so well, how to tell a story to make it touch our hearts. – Sue Rainey LUCY SMITH QUARTET - SINGING CHRISTMAS Living Music Songs LMS1264 (2016) It Came Upon the Midnight Clear 3:52 (Track 11) Chicagoan Lucy Smith goes to church in “Singing Christmas,” the singer digging deeply into the spiritual side of seasonal repertoire. The austere beauty of her version of “Silent Night,” the gospel fervor she brings to “Jesus Gonna Be Here” and the imploring quality of her singing in “Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow” explore the meaning of faith. The unadorned beauty of Smith’s work, as well as her inclusion of less-familiar repertoire, distinguish “Singing Christmas,” making it a testament to what the holiday signifies. - Howard Reich Chicago Tribune CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO JOSIE FALBO - Each Other JF RECORDS (2023) Each Other 3:02 (DIGITAL ONLY) Josie is thrilled to announce the release of a new Holiday song. "Each Other," written by Chicagoans Myles Greene and Ken Karlson. In the words of Ken, the lyricist, the song is 30 years old and was waiting for the right voice. Josie is that voice! CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO BUSELLI-WALLARB JAZZ ORCHESTRA - CAROL OF THE BELLS PATOIS RECORDS PRCD0030 (2006 Reissue 4 New Tracks 2023) Hark, The Herald Angels Sing 3:00 (Track 15) Patois Records is proud to announce that the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra has re-released their popular 2006 big band jazz Christmas Album, Carol of the Bells. The re-release features four brand-new bonus tracks including a new version of I'll Be Home for Christmas, featuring legendary vocalist Everett Green who was featured prominently on the original release. ONE SHEET ...

The TV ratings for the Eastern Finals were up 43% this year. Presumably this was caused by the presence of the Alouettes. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/13/alouettes-argos-ratings-jump-43-percent-as-cfl-sees-overall-rise-for-divisional-finals/ As a result, the two Finals will be held on a Saturday again next year. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/14/cfl-permanently-moves-playoff-games-to-saturday-after-spectacular-results-in-2023/ ***** For next year's schedule, everybody will play everybody else at least twice. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/14/no-blackout-dates-cfl-returning-to-balanced-schedule-in-2024/ ***** Toronto's upcoming free agents https://3downnation.com/2023/11/14/the-toronto-argonauts-potential-2024-free-agent-list/ ***** Riders fans are well aware that both Collaros and Fajardo were quarterbacks that the Riders cast aside. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/14/opinion-welcome-to-the-grey-cup-of-quarterbacks-saskatchewan-didnt-want/ ***** I'm very surprised by this: The league will not allow air horns at Sunday's Grey Cup Final. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/15/silence-is-golden-cfl-wont-allow-air-horns-at-grey-cup/ ***** Chad Kelly says that he suffered a concussion during the Eastern Final. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/15/toronto-argonauts-qb-chad-kelly-reveals-he-suffered-concussions-during-east-final/ ***** The CFL Awards ceremony is tonight. The guys at 3Down Nation have their own choices. https://3downnation.com/2023/11/16/3downnations-2023-cfl-award-winners/

Congrats, Bob! That's terrific!

Grey Cup picks https://doorfliesopen.com/2023/11/16/cfl-beat-202/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/15/prediction-time-cfl-ca-writers-110th-grey-cup-picks/ https://www.cfl.ca/2023/11/16/weekly-predictor-als-to-win-it-all/ https://pifflespodcast.com/blog/piffles-picks-the-grey-cup/

Greg, I've already go Montreal - 50! Pick something else. Currently, everything for Montreal is available from 40 and below, and from 60 and above. Everything for Winnipeg is available from 35 and below, and from 75 and above. ***** I am thinking now that this might be a low scoring game, by Grey Cup standards. Montreal's offense isn't very good, but they do have a good field goal kicker, David Cote. I can see Winnipeg holding Montreal to a touchdown and maybe three field goals. Montreal's defense is good and getting better. I can see them holding Winnipeg to less than what they usually score, maybe 24. A final score of 24-13 isn't out of the question.

# Artist and Track Title Time 1. David Hazeltine - Christmas Time Is Here 05:57 2. David Hazeltine - The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) 06:08 3. David Hazeltine - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 05:43 4. David Hazeltine - Winter Wonderland 05:53 David Hazeltine - Special Digital-Only Christmas Release New from HighNote Records Christmas Cards from David Hazeltine David Hazeltine – piano Neal Miner – acoustic bass Pete Van Nostrand – drums These tracks are being commercially-released as 4 singles. David Hazeltine is one of a handful of contemporary pianists who has mastered all aspects of the art of jazz, so it’s no surprise that he’s among the most recorded contemporary jazz pianists of our time, with 35 CD’s as a leader. For this special recording, David has invited friends bassist Neal Miner and drummer Pete Van Nostrand to join him. Miner toured with Jon Hendricks, was go-to bassist for Annie Ross and can often be seen with Jane Monheit. Van Nostrand has kept time for such luminaries as Cécile McLorin Salvant, Jeremy Pelt, Gerald Clayton, Kurt Elling and others. These three musicians have put together some Christmas greetings full of the holiday spirit and a real joy in music making. The selections transcend their holiday themes and stand alone as stunning jazz takes on classics of the Great American Songbook. While the set-list is understandably decked-out in seasonal red and green, David reminds us that first-rate jazz performances, like these, are welcome at any time of year. Like our stuff? Let’s hear from you. Record Company Contact Barney Fields • HighNote Records, Inc. jazzdepo@ix.netcom.com • (212) 873-2020 • www.jazzdepot.com David Haze... Rickey Woodard, John Chiodini, Chuck Berghofer, Louis Conte, Bernie Dresel, Lyn Stanley Novel Noël Formats: Christian/Holiday/Jazz GET IT NOW Featuring: Rickey Woodard - Sax John Chiodini - Guitar Chuck Berghofer - Bass Louis Conte - Percussion Bernie Dresel - Drums <> "This record is a true audiophile project, with a very high sampling rate, it sounds like it was done 35 years ago when budgets were at a premium. Most of the mics we used were vintage tube condenser mics from the '50s and '60s. I can't say enough about the musicians on... what I believe is one of the greatest big band records I've ever heard. It it was truly a privilege to work with Lyn and these musicians to bring her vision to life." Allen Sides - 5-Time Grammy Winning Engineer Holy Night (Lyn Stanley Original) - 2:53 Mary Did You Know - 4:51 Merry Christmas Darling - 4:13 Little Drummer Boy (In 5/4 Time) - 4:49 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - 5:37 Zat You Santa Claus - 4:11 Christmas Waltz - 4:12 Boogie Woogie Santa Claus - 4:35 Website: www.LynStanley.com George Perris The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year! Impacting November 17th, 2023 Format(s): Classical, Holiday, Jazz, World Music Hi all, we are contacting you regarding our holiday new release from George Perris, a multilingual recording and a touring vocalist, who has carved an unconventional path throughout his career, GEORGE PERRIS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR! Release Date: 17.11.2023 Rep Owner: Minos EMI, a Universal Music Company Rights: World Focus Track: It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year ISRC: GRUM72301237 TV SPECIAL: A Christmas special titled “The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year! Live!”, is available for broadcast. It includes George Perris performing live, in a Christmas mood, the album tracks. This TV Special will be broadcasted in US by PBS Special. Album UPC: 00602458765090 Genre/Mood: Holiday Jazz Crossover Classical Nostalgic GEORGE PERRIS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR (TRACKLISTING)! 01. IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR 02. THE CHRISTMAS SONG 03. BEFORE CHRISTMAS 04. UNDERNEATH THE TREE 05. SILENT NIGHT 06. LITTLE DRUMMER BOY 07. SLEIGH RIDE 08. PETIT PAPA NOEL 09. AVE MARIA 10. THE SECRET OF CHRISTMAS BONUS TRACKS: 11. DOUCE NUIT SAINTE NUIT 12. L’ENFANT AU TAMBOUR 13. NOCHE DE PAZ 14. EL TAMBORILERO 15. CHRISTMAS BELLS WILL RING Key-Highlights: -His songs have charted in the top 20 positions in more than 40 countries. George has also released 2 TV Specials on the American network PBS: “Live At Jazz At Lincoln Center” and “Live At The Acropolis”, both of which reached audiences of million viewers. - In December 2021 he was selected by the Grammy Recording Academy for their “Global Spin” series which showcases some of the world’s most prominent artists. - He recently became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, appointed by Greek legend Nana Mouskouri, focusing on combatting violence against children.