Christmas Time Is Here

Tis the season of decked-out halls, snowfalls, and the sound of the same ol’ Christmas jingles ringing in the air. Mariah Carey’s legendary song, All I Want for Christmas Is You, is placed number one on Billboard’s list of 100 Greatest Holiday Songs of All Time. As of 2017, there are 13,419 covers of All I Want for Christmas Is You since the song’s release in 1994.

While most are content with hearing the same Christmas carols and its multitude of covers every year, what about the people who want to hear something different? Perhaps a tune that still captures the feel-good nostalgia of the season but embraces a more universal and modern view of this time of year. Perhaps sung by a two-time Juno-nominated jazz band that wrote a song about turkey that was so good that it ended up in a nationwide marketing campaign for the Turkey Farmers of Canada and the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council’s Turkey Primary Processing sector.

Enter Alex Bird and The Jazz Mavericks.

Meet Alex Bird and The Jazz Mavericks

This ultra-cool jazz band, led by Alex Bird (vocals), Ewen Farncombe (piano/b3/additional vocals), Jacob Gorzhaltsan (saxophone/clarinet), Julian Anderson-Bowes (bass), and Norbert Botos (drums), brings a fresh, jazzy twist to the season. Their unique sound, which has already earned them two Juno nominations for Best Vocal Jazz Album in 2022 and 2024, is a testament to their exceptional musicianship and recognition in the jazz community.

Another Christmas Day: A Fresh Take on Holiday Music

They recently released their new album, Another Christmas Day, a collection of 10 original songs that encompass all of the thoughts and emotions one experiences during this time of the year, running the gamut from holly jolly to alone and mournful. In celebration of this new holiday album, the band organized an album release party hosted at the plush and upscale restaurant/bar, The Jazz Bistro.

The Jazz Bistro: A Perfect Venue

The Jazz Bistro offers cozy and intimate table seating, a second-floor balcony overlooking the stage, and Canada’s only Steinway Red Pops Grand Piano. The dining experience included delightful French Bistro-style cuisine and desserts like their light-as-air triple-layer vanilla sponge cake with berries and Chantilly cream.

Performance Highlights

The band delivered a captivating live performance, starting with “Prelude to Christmas” and transitioning to the poignant “Another Christmas Day.” Romantic tracks like “A Cup of Tea and You” and lively tunes such as “Yule Train” showcased the band‘s range. Gorzhaltsan’s clarinet solo and Anderson-Bowes’s backing hums added emotional depth to the evening’s performance.

Final Thoughts

Another Christmas Day is a sophisticated addition to the Great Holiday Songbook. From the ingenious ballad “Forecast for Today” to the introspective “Another Christmas Day,” this album offers a refreshing alternative to the usual holiday tunes.

For more information, visit Alex Bird and The Jazz Mavericks.