Charlie Brown Christmas
Jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut knows a good thing when he hears it, and the music ofA Charlie Brown Christmas, set forth so eloquently by the Vince Guaraldi Trio decades ago, is one of them. The pianist is backed here by a bevy of New York's premier session players and jazz stars: drummerSteve Gadd; ace sax playersMichael Brecker,Kenny Garrett, andSteve Cole; and guitaristPat Martino. Chestnut proves as inventive as always, playing with lighthearted wit and lyrical sophistication. He captures the whimsy of suchPeanutsclassics as "Skating" and the winning interplay of "Linus and Lucy," delightfully mixing it up with Martino's guitar figures. Chestnut also pays fond homage to the whole Peanuts gang with his memorable opening solo, "Me and Charlie Brown." Joined byVanessa Williamsandthe Boys Choir of Harlemon "Christmas Time Is Here," Chestnut and company work their understated magic on this and other traditional fare. Somewhere, Charles Schultz is nodding his head in time to these lovely tunes and updates.--Martin Keller