If one has ever seen the holiday classic movie, Miracle on 34th Street or has had the memorable experience of ice-skating at Lincoln Center in Manhattan, then one can understand that there are few scenes more romantic than Christmas in New York. For this reason it is fitting that Mel Bay Records announces the release of Christmas Jazz Guitar, a seasonal delight, recorded by one of New York's finest jazz guitarist, Mr. Jack Wilkins.

Download the whole O Come, All Ye Faithful Track.

This most recent Jack Wilkins release is sure to be a holiday jazz classic. With the spirit of Christmas in mind, Jack records thirteen holiday standards which include, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, White Christmas, The Christmas Song and Silent Night. Christmas Jazz Guitar is not only perfect for seasonal listening but demonstrates the flawless technique and imaginative chordal approaches for which Jack Wilkins is best known.

For more than four decades now Jack Wilkins has played a constant role in the big apples' jazz community. His list of credentials and past performances reads like a list of who is who. Over the years he has backed many of jazzes finest singers from Mel Torme, Ray Charles, Morgana King, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Manhattan Transfer, Nancy Marano and Jay Clayton. Most recently, Wilkins has shared the stage with jazz greats; Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy Heath, The Mingus Epitaph and jazz bassist Eddie Gomez.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Jack began playing at the early age of ten. His childhood mentors included Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Bill Evans, Clifford Brown, Freddie Hubbard and Johnny Smith. In 1973, at the age of 29, Jack recorded his first album as a leader. Since then Jack has recorded numerous projects on many different labels including this, his first release with Mel Bay Records.

Besides his extensive recording and performing career, Jack Wilkins has written several books as a Mel Bay author and recently was featured in a live concert DVD with his partner in crime, Jimmy Bruno entitled Jimmy Bruno and Jack Wilkins: Live from The Theatre in Washington, Virginia presented by The Benedetto Players and Mel Bay Records. Wilkins has been awarded an NEA grant in recognition of his work and contribution to guitar. He was invited to the Smithsonian Institution to take part in the "Blue Guitars" exhibit, and appeared on the P.S. I. first live jazz internet concert. He was also featured as part of the J.V.C. festival tributes to Johnny Smith, Tal Farlow and Herb Ellis and Barney Kessel. Jack Wilkins teaches at The New School and Manhattan School of Music and frequently conducts seminars and guitar clinics, both in New York and abroad.

View Christmas Review      - Carol, ChristmasReviews.com