Another Holiday Music Essential

Written by Robert Baird for Stereophile – January 2025 Jazz Record Reviews

Donald Vega, piano
Clovis Nicolas, bass
Pete Van Nostrand, drums

It’s easy to hear why performers of all stripes are drawn to Christmas music: The tunes are irresistible. The challenge lies in how every known Christmas tune has been played live and recorded umpteen times. Yet hope springs eternal and every artist who dives in thinks they can bring something new to these hoary chestnuts. Here in an easy, likable set, pianist and Juilliard faculty member Donald Vega adds fertile ideas to holiday favorites.

In “Joy to the World,” Clovis Nicolas lays down the rhythm and Donald Vega effectively ornaments around the groove. “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” starts out perky but settles into a steady, bluesy rhythm with Vega again dancing around the beat, adding tasty asides. A fast-paced “Deck the Halls” is an upbeat delight. And an expansive reading of “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” is where Vega stretches interpretively, with fast runs up and down the keyboard, his nimble solos landing just right.

Not everything works. A moody take on “Greensleeves” adds nothing to a tune whose possibilities were exhausted long ago. Although well-played, “Auld Lang Syne” is another number whose alternatives have all been heard before. Finally, at least one adventurous choice of Christmas repertoire would have added needed edge and interest. Recorded in DXD, the sound of these whole, uninterrupted takes is emotive, peerless. Piano is captured as forceful, ringing, and clear throughout, the bass and drums exist on a spacious plane with wide dynamics. Vega saves the best for last with his slow reading of “Silent Night,” where playing lines that rock back and forth, simulating snow falling, he squeezes every drop of emotion from this beautiful Christmas standard. Another essential for the holiday music playlist.