Christmas Jazz Portrait, A

This ambitious set of carols in contrasting jazz styles features Up On The Housetop (swing), Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming (ballad), Patapan (jazz waltz), and Ding! Dong! Merrily On High (swing). Though all the hallmarks of a Lenny Niehaus arrangement are present--modern chords, melodies for all, solid ensemble work, etc.--what we like most about this portrait is that it features songs that haven't been done to death.