[Dixielandjazz] Christmas Music

[Bret E. Bradford]

Though maybe not an iconic album, I always 'Zat You, Santa Claus? by Banu 
Gibson was a fun little CD. Below is taken from the JazzbyMail website:

"By Dick Hyman - World renowned Banu Gibson stretches her repertoire - and 
what a lovely stretch! - with  a batch of seasonal songs appropriate to 
Christmas time as it's experienced in New Orleans. With her fine band,  the 
New Orleans Hot Jazz, Banu sings many of the standards -  tunes like Winter 
Wonderland and I'll Be Home For Christmas. But in addition she has done 
impressive historical research and revives gems from jazz history such as 
Santa Claus  Blues, recorded by Louis Armstrong back in 1924, and 'Zat  You, 
Santa Claus?, from much later in his career. The  venerable At The Christmas 
Ball, from 1925, recalls its  original by Bessie Smith. Banu does the 
well-known songs and  the forgotten ones, and for good measure offers us 
some  lovely original pieces written in collaboration with John  Sheridan, 
the distinguished arranger of this album, as well  as an original by John, 
who doubles from his regular duties with Jim Cullum's Jazz Band and 
accompanies Banu on their  Christmas on the Bayou. (Banu regular pianist, 
the stellar  David Boeddinghaus is heard on the rest.) Special mention 
should be made as well of the performance of David Podewell,  Banu's 10-year 
old son, on I'd Like To Hitch a Ride with  Santa Claus, a clear example of 
the persistence of family  talent. The entire album was  recorded in New 
Orleans, and to these Northern ears is a  delightful souvenir of that city. 
Although I wouldn't expect  much of a winter wonderland down there in 
December, I know  I'd have a wonderful time."

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