RICK GALLAGHER: A Sleigh, a Song, and a Baby Boy

Rick Gallagher

A Sleigh, a Song, and a Baby Boy

© 2002 Rick Gallagher (803597010427)

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Instrumental-Jazz-Holiday-Piano---A Must have collection of freshly rearranged Christmas classics performed by a swinging, yet sensitive trio with percussion.

tracks

1 Sleigh Ride
2 Little Drummer Boy
3 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
4 The Holly and the Ivy
5 O Come All Ye Faithful
6 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
7 O Holy Night
8 O Come O Come Emmanuel
9 Let It Snow
10 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
11 A Child Is Born
12 Sing We Now of Christmas
13 Silent Night

notes

Christmas jazz, holiday jazz.

Jazz pianist Rick Gallagher has been a part of the Pittsburgh music scene since the late 1980's. Over the years Rick has done solo and group work in a wide range of contemporary styles but has found a voice as a player and composer in classic jazz. He has worked with many of the area's top performers and bands as well as solo piano work at diverse venues such as the historic Grand Concourse; the Gandy Dancer Saloon piano bar; and the PPG Holiday Series. Regularly Rick can be seen with small groups at Palomino and Pines Tavern, the Orchard Hill Church worship team, and the Boilermaker Jazz Band, as well as his long-standing spotlight as the pianist with the US Steel Tower and One Oxford Center downtown. Gallagher is noteworthy for his classic jazz style, creative arrangements, and his memorable originals.

Rick has five recordings as a feature artist and has played on a number of other CD’s as a sideman. His recordings have been played on hundreds of radio stations across the United States, and Canada including nationally syndicated jazz shows like “Jazz After Hours.” They all include Rick’s rich harmonic concepts, lyrical melodic ideas, creative arrangements and soulful organic sound.

A Pittsburgh native and father of four, Gallagher received a Bachelor of Music at Duquesne University where he studied under the mentorship of David Budway. His influences include Herbie Hancock, Horace Silver, Red Garland, Vince Guaraldi, Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Benny Green, Ray Brown, Wynton Kelly, Cyrus Chestnut and George Shearing. He currently balances his performances with teaching, arranging, composing and recording. Rick is available for studio work, jazz festivals, concerts, church performances, and other private and public events.

Credits include:

Jazz Christmas, iTunes Essentials (2007) - Various Artists
Coldwater Creek: Home for the Holidays Volume One (2004)
Coldwater Creek: Home for the Holidays Volume Four (2007)
Divine Unrest (2007) - Tamarack Road Productions


About -----"A Sleigh, a Song, and a Baby Boy"------


A Sleigh, a Song, and a Baby Boy" is a must have collection of freshly rearranged Christmas classics performed by a swinging but sensitive jazz trio with percussion. The uptempo cuts "Sleigh Ride" and "Sing We Now of Christmas" swing with holiday cheer, while the ballads "O Holy Night", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", and "The Holly and the Ivy" are warm, tasteful,and reflective. The Afro-cuban "Little Drummer Boy", the funky bugaloo "Let it Snow", and the Latin grooves of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" complete the collection with a soulful sound. Backed by some of the regions finest, Paul Thompson, Thomas Wendt, and George Jones, and expert engineering by Dino Distefano, who engineered the 1997 Grammy Award winning performance by the Count Basie Orchestra, "A Sleigh, a Song, and a Baby Boy" is sure to become a holiday favorite.


rick gallagher-piano, paul thompson-bass,
thomas wendt-drums, george jones-percussion

reviews

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  • Love It!
    author: Anders

    A must for anyone's Christmas mix. Very jazzy!

  • Most wonderful x-mas jazz. Perfect to relax and enjoy the quite time of the year
    author: Andrea Jellesen
  • Wow!
    author: Maureen Kraemer

    Must have!

  • author: CD Baby

    Last year's favorite Christmas album at CD Baby is this year's "must have." If you're in the market for a Christmas album at all, don't waste one more minute looking any further than the Rick Gallagher jazz trio. This is Christmas music at its classiest, at its most sophisticated and in its least cliche, least commercial form. This has been the one album I haven't grown tired of and recommend without a second thought; and that's saying a lot after having already listened to hundreds in the last few months, preparing our stock for the upcoming holiday season. This album is both perfect for the elegant holiday party or the family pajama party.

  • author: cdbaby.com

    "a sleigh, a song, and a baby boy-- Last year's favorite Christmas album at CD Baby is this year's "must have." If you're in the market for a Christmas album at all, don't waste one more minute looking any further than the Rick Gallagher jazz trio. This is Christmas music at its classiest, at its most sophisticated and in its least cliche, least commercial form. This has been the one album I haven't grown tired of and recommend without a second thought; and that's saying a lot after having already listened to hundreds in the last few months, preparing our stock for the upcoming holiday season. This album is both perfect for the elegant holiday party or the family pajama party." - CdBaby, December 2003 -

  • An extraordinarily snappy and entertaining Christmas that swing hard!
    author: Tamara Turner, CD Baby

    Having suffered through some of the tackiest Christmas music known to man from high school retail jobs to my parents' strange fascination with every animal from Noah's ark singing Jingle Bells, I am more than relieved to find a Christmas album that is enjoyable and that I can take home this year to "culture" my family. If you're tired of the same old seasonal tunes that have you adding that extra pint of rum to your glass of egg nog, take heart with this album of jazz combo Christmas. While it might call for a glass of red wine (it's that classy!) you can appreciate it sober. Your in-laws are another story.

  • author: AllAboutJazz.com

    The classic sounds of Christmas music are always a joy, and this season they are reinvigorated with the new release by jazz pianist Rick Gallagher. A talented musician, Gallagher received deserved acclaim and airplay for his debut recording Sweet Potato Eyebrows, which featured his own compositions as well as classics. With an approach in the Ellingtonian vein, he combines a fresh sound with a modern focus on swing and style. A Sleigh, a Song, & a Baby Boy celebrates some of the many holiday favorites with his own vision. Gallagher’s talented core of musicians return from his debut recording. The deep and full sound of bassist Paul Thompson continues to shine as he also gives strong solos on selections such as “Sing We Now Of Christmas” and “The Little Drummer Boy”. Drummer Thomas Wendt keeps the band tight throughout the session with exquisite work from his kit, changing with the tempo and mood as needed. Percussionist George Jones adds his skill on a few selections with an assortment of instruments from bells to African drums. Gallagher can swing with the best, but it’s his delicate touch and arranging skills that separate him from the crowd. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” is a quiet and very profound example of his smoothness, as his playing exhibits restrain, depth, and also expressive freedom. “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” is just downright tight, showing off his compositional skills. The recording also features Gallagher in the solo spotlight on pieces such as “The Holly and the Ivy” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”. His interpretations range from the playful and airy opener, “Sleigh Ride,” to the earthy and funky sounds of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” If you’re looking for a nice mix of loved holiday classics wrapped in a discriminating jazz package, then look no further.

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