We Need A Little Christmas (Summit)

Isthmus Brass

Released in 2019

DownBeat Four-Star Review

YouTube:

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m9yLIGyCRlkGCaQE90-QxKxsASDilH2Bk

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/album/13qe4LjaCujXqCM5ON2C3O?si=7jpjKg6OT8ynH2e4ufTWMw

About:

For their second Christmas recording, the Isthmus Brass offer a diverse program of traditional carols, more contemporary holiday favorites, and works that are in the spirit and festive nature of the season. The arrangements, almost all of which have been created especially for the group by members of the Isthmus Brass, are designed to feature the ensemble and soloists in a rich variety of classical, popular and jazz styles. Experience the merriment, warmth, joy and peace of this time of year with the glorious sounds of music for brass!  When you “need a little Christmas” this collection of favorites, as well as music that may be new to you, answers the call. Comprised of the finest professional brass players in the Midwest, the Isthmus Brass is Wisconsin’s premiere large brass ensemble.

Track Listing:

1. We Need a Little Christmas (Jerry Herman) 01:51

2. Fantasy De Nöel (Roger Harvey) 04:55

3. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Johann Sebastian Bach) 03:46

4. Fum, Fum, Fum (Christmas Traditional) featuring Brent Turney, piccolo trumpet 04:39

5. Russian Christmas Music (Alfred Reed) 06:23

6. Wexford Carol (Christmas Traditional) 04:13

7. Bugler’s Holiday (Leroy Anderson) feat. Brent Turney, Don Sipe and Dave Cooper, trumpets 02:42

8. Ave Maria (Franz Biebl) feat. Dylan Chmura.Moore, trombone, Ricardo Almeida, horn and Don Sipe, flugelhorn 07:27

9. Farandollissimo (after Bizet) (William Himes) feat. Dave Cooper, trumpet 03:09

10. A Child is Born (Thaddeus Jones) 03:15

11. Feliz Navidad (José Feliciano) feat. Tim Albright, trombone and Dave Cooper & Jon Schipper, trumpets 04:24

12. O Holy Night (Adolphe Adam) feat. Jon Schipper, trumpet/flugelhorn 04:30

13. Do You Hear a Little Drummer Boy’ (Mike Forbes) 03:56

14. Christmas Time is Here (Vince Guaraldi) feat. Dave Cooper, trumpet, Tim Albright, trombone and Keith Lienert, drums 04:00

15. Frosty the Snowman (Steve Nelson) 03:21

16. What a Wonderful World (Bob Thiele / George David Weiss) 03:26

Personnel:

John Stevens: conductor 

Dave Cooper: trumpet

Don Sipe: trumpet

Jon Schipper: trumpet

Brent Turney: piccolo trumpet, trumpet

Ricardo Almeida: horn

Tim Albright: trombone

Dylan Chmura-Moore: trombone

Michael Dugan: trombone

Mark Hoelscher: bass trombone

Mike Forbes: tuba

Keith Lienert: percussion

Recorded at Tanner Monagle, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Produced by Mike Forbes & John Stevens

Recorded by Ric Probst

Mixed by Nat McIntosh

Review:

The 12-piece, Wisconsin-based Isthmus Brass delivers its second holiday album with We Need A Little Christmas. Tuba player Mike Forbes and all the other horn players, along with drummer Keith Lienert, are Christmas music connoisseurs with jazz and classical backgrounds. Serious beauty informs “Ave Maria,” “Wexford Carol” and “Russian Christmas Music,” while sheer fun propels the sled occupied by “Frosty The Snowman,” with its thundering Gene Krupa-like drums.

Frank-John Hadley (DownBeat)