A Jazz Piano Christmas 2021

Again NPR’s traditional season’s celebration ”A Jazz Piano Christmas”, was recorded live from The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and offers a joyful mix of musical Christmas glitter with a real West Coast feel; all three pianists have roots in California.

Set list:

Eric Reed
“Angels in the Snow”
“Christmas is Coming”
“Go Tell It On The Mountain”

Gerald Clayton
“Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy”
“Christmas Time Is Here”
“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”

Patrice Rushen
“What Child Is This” (Greensleeves)
“Caroling, Caroling”
“This Christmas”

In this year’s edition the full audience was back with vaccination cards in hand. As the world steps toward a new reality, traditions are felt to be so important and therefore there was an air of excitement in the audience, all being happy to be in the same room listening to live music together again. Eric Reed brought a mix of reverence and celebration, and Gerald Clayton leaned into The Nutcracker and Charlie Brown classics. Patrice Rushen played heartwarming renditions of some favorites, including an arrangement of Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas,” As we make our way towards an uncertain future, we hope that the magic of these performances can bring a bit of light and good cheer into your homes. Happy holidays and Merry Christmas.