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Hession's American Jazz Quintet (AJQ) Plays To SRO New Orleans Jazz Fans |
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| Published on 12/24/2006 |
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| By Martha and Jim Hession |
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Jim and Martha Hession's American Jazz Quintet performed a 90 minute Christmas Jazz Concert,December 23, at the New Orleans National Historic Jazz Park in the French Quarter. The auditorium was standing room only,with the crowd spelling out into the Dutch Alley to listen on the outdoor speakers.
Highlights of the program included Martha's vocals on "My Favorite Things," "The Christmas Song" and Louis Armstrong's "'Zat You,Santa Claus?" Jim presented piano solos on a contrapuntal "Christmas Bells" and funky New Orleans style duet with reknowned bassist Mark Brooks on "The Little Drummer Boy." Featured horn players of the day were Larry Keating (tenor sax) on "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and Ryan Burrage (alto sax/clarinet) on "Let It Snow." Jim and Martha also paid tribute to Vince Guaraldi's song scores to the Peanuts Christmas TV Specials. The overflow crowd joined the musicians in rollicking renditions of "Go Tell It On The Mountain" and "Swinging Them Jingle Bells." The thunderous applause and standing ovation made it clear that the Christmas spirit had certainly returned to New Orleans! |
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| Article Credits and References |
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| National Park Service, Department of the Interior, New Orleans |
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