Album Notes

Larry Shackley studied classical piano from age five through his studies at the Eastman School of Music, but his style bears the influence of jazz and pop music as well. Between 1984-1994, he traveled the United States, Europe, and Australia with the music ministry team from Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, and has served as a staff musician at several other churches since then. He has published over 300 piano arrangements for Lorenz, Hope, Alfred, and Shawnee Press, and over 150 choral arrangements and compositions. As a composer, he has written for films, radio, television, and concert halls.

"Evergreen and Ivory" is the fulfilment of Larry's long-term dream of assembling some of his favorite Christmas arrangements from several published collections. Familiar and more obscure carols, two original pieces, and three exciting four-hand arrangements based on Handel's "Messiah" make this a unique mix of holiday music. For those who bought Larry's cassette "A Keyboard for Christmas" in 1985, you'll find all seven solo piano numbers from that release included here, restored by ace engineer Dave McCallister.

"Evergreen and Ivory" contains over an hour of Christmas music featuring many moods: playful, meditative, majestic, joyful, reflective; music that will help to remind you of the true meaning of the season.