'Round The Christmas Tree
Americans of the late 1800s and early 1900s made merry  at Christmastime much less passively than we do today; they danced to holiday music at fancy balls, sang, whistled, and hummed it along with vaudeville and music hall entertainers, and attended special theatrical performances (operetta and pantomime) and concerts commemorating the season. They also made holiday music in the home, on wintry evenings gathering around the parlor piano or organ for a good sing by firelight. With our new recording 'ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE, PRO and I have gathered samples from each of these realms.  On several numbers we're very happy to join forces again with soprano Jody Dall'Armi, who's wide range of interpretive skills and historical insights will take you from the parlor to the music hall and back again. So start roasting those chestnuts, drop into your favorite soft chair and for an hour allow us to carry you off to reflect upon those quieter, simpler days of Christmases ! long past.--RICK BENJAMIN