Album Notes

The debut album from multi-instrumentalist Jim Hanks has arrived. "Everlasting, Wonderful, Immanuel" showcases the Akai EWI 4000s electric wind instrument(EWI), bringing new sounds and styles to nine Christmas classics and two originals, speaking the timeless message of Christmas to this generation. Familiar melodies with unexpected twists, fresh improvisations, and all-new arrangements keep the surprises coming from the first downbeat to the last ringing chord.

Jim has been a musician in some capacity for over thirty years. In recent years, he has been privileged to play with the praise band at his local church. This experience inspired him to write and produce songs for a different audience but still with a higher purpose in mind - to praise God with voice and music. He takes Psalm 150:3-6 from the Bible as his "mission statement":
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.(NIV)

"Make no mistake - this is a CHRISTmas album, not some mamby-pamby-winter-solstice-happy-holidays-no-matter-what-you-believe-in album. So whether the groove is smooth or slammin’, traditional or techno, rhumba or reggae, heavy or humble, peaceful or powerful, the focus of each tune in this eclectic jazz set is on JESUS - the Reason for every season. May you experience His might, mercy, and majesty as you listen." -Jim