Album Notes

Joining Dick Lupino once again on this CD is the incredible pianist and arranger, seven time Emmy winner and multiple Grammy nominee, Mike Renzi. And the amazing drummer and percussionist, Vin Pagano. "December Songs", features mostly Christmas songs and a couple about the winter season, "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" and "Baby It's Cold Outside", a duet with Amanda Carr. The holiday songs are a mix of traditional favorites and a few that may not be so well known. "Our First Christmas", is a jazz waltz, written by Mike Renzi, and "Christmas In Newport", is by the late Matt Quinn, a popular pianist from Newport RI. Also included is a beautiful Johnny Mandel composition, "A Christmas Love Song", and Percy Faith's, "Christmas Is". We tried to do some of the more popular favorites in a non tradition style - "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", and "I'll Be Home For Christmas" are done in the bossa nova style, while Donny Hathaway's, "This Christmas" is arranged as a samba. Of course, classics like Mel Torme's, "The Christmas Song", Vince Guaraldi's", Christmas Time Is Here", and the Carpenter's, "Merry Christmas, Darling", are performed in their original styles.