Christmas Time Is Here - Vince Guaraldi, arranged by Hank Troy
Betelehemu - Nigerian Carol
Little Drummer Boy - Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati, and Harry Simeone
Santa Claus Need Some Lovin' - Albert King
Air on the G String - J.S. Bach
I'll Be Home For Christmas - Kim Gannon and Walter Kent
Dear Prudence - John Lennon/Paul McCartney
My Favorite Things - Richard Rodgers, arranged by Hank Troy
Every Friday Night - music/arrangement: Karl Mansfield, lyrics: Michael Scheman
Jingle Bells - J. Pierpont
The Christmas Song - Mel Torme
Tracks 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13 arranged Thomas A. Blomster
Have A Funky Holiday began after I heard Jazz Crusaders drummer Stix Hooper's delightful Creole/funk version of The Little Drummer Boy, then Trinidad Steel Drum Bands' early 60s recording of Jingle Bells (no, they don't play the "right" harmonies either!). I decided to follow suit and write my own warped arrangements of those tunes. Those two were followed by various Christmas arrangements for Chicago blues woman Joanna Connor and the band at St. Francis High School in Wheaton, IL (suburban Chicago).
When it came time to put together the Christmas montage on this CD, I thought of Gayla Morgan (www.gaylasong.com), who sang some of my pop arrangements for chamber orchestra and soprano years ago--I've always wanted to work with her again; she's such a talent.
The bottom line is that, as a performing musician for the past 30 years, I was tired of hearing the same old schlock arrangements of these holiday chestnuts. I hope you enjoy hearing them differently, too.
(December, 2004) -Thomas A. Blomster
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