Title: Cartoon Christmas Trio
Artist: Cartoon Christmas Trio
Label: CD Baby
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 700261255729
Genre: Jazz
Cartoon Christmas Trio The Cartoon Christmas Trio was started in 1995 by bassist Rob Swanson for the sole purpose of playing music from classic Christmas cartoons, especially the music of Vince Guaraldi, the composer of the 'Peanuts' soundtracks. The first five Christmas seasons (1995-1999) had seen the trio consistently sell out the former jazz club Bourbon Street Cafe, to rave reviews from the Wilmington News Journal. The event was listed as one of the 'Top seven things to do the week before Christmas'. (News Journal, Dec. 18th, 1998) The trio is comprised of Jeff Knoettner on piano, Jackie Browne on drums, and Rob Swanson on double bass violin. All members are professional, full time musicians and educators in the Greater Philadelphia Region. The music of Vince Guaraldi, in particular the soundtrack of the Peanuts Christmas Cartoon, has become the best selling Christmas recording of all time. The trio performs every song from this recording, using the exact instrumentation that Guaraldi originally composed for. In addition to the Peanuts music, the trio plays songs from 'The Grinch Who Stole Christmas', 'Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer', 'Frosty the Snowman', and 'The Little Drummer Boy', just to name a few. So when the 63rd version of the Messiah has left you uninspired and you are looking for a fresh alternative, come out at listen to the sounds of the Cartoon Christmas Trio because after all, Christmas Time is here! A product of the Berklee College of Music, this pianist, composer, and teacher has performed in various festivals, including the Melon Jazz Festival, Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, River Blues Festival, the New York State Blues Festival, Cape May Jazz and Rehobeth Jazz Festivals, and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Jeff's musical proficiency extends to playing the trumpet and organ, composing and arranging. He has performed and recorded with numerous groups, some being The Cartoon Jazz Trio, the jeffjazz trio, the Renaissance Quintet, Arpeggio Jazz & Music Ensemble, the Val Ray Experience, Rob Swanson, E. Shawn Qaissaunee, and the Tino Gonzales Band, which has opened for blues legends B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Charlie Musselwhite. Jackie Browne has played drums professionally for 35 years working primarily on the east coast as one of the most successful independent Main-Line musicians. Jackie has backed such notables as: Regis Philbin, Melba Moore?, Petula Clark, Al Martino?, Rose Marie, The Four Acres?, Billy Eckstein, Julius LaRosa?,The Four Lads?. Jackie works with his Jazz Ensemble developing music presentations for special events, and radio, television productions. ?He also enjoys conducting clinics and private study. Jackie Browne over the years developed a unique style of playing for venues that have a limited working space for the drummer. This technique is displayed on his Instructional DVD. Playing bass for over 30 years, Rob has made a name for himself as one of the most versatile working bassists in the Philly metro area. Tripling on Electric, Upright, and Vocals, Rob finds himself in up to 20 different musical configurations on any given month, ranging from straight ahead bebop, groove, world, funk, and rock. Rob has performed at venues across the globe and across the street including The Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, The Carl Orff Stage at Gasteig in Munich Germany, and The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival in Wilmington. A graduate of the prestigious West Chester School of Music, Rob balances gigging with a bit of teaching to forward the muse that was passed onto him at an early age.
Tracks:
1.1 Oh Christmas Tree - Cartoon Christmas Trio
1.2 Frosty the Snowman
1.3 Skating
1.4 Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
1.5 Linus and Lucy
1.6 (You're a Mean One) Mr Grinch
1.7 Charlie Brown
1.8 Christmas Is Almost Here
1.9 Christmastime Is Here
1.10 Sleigh Ride
1.11 Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
1.12 Hark the Herald Angels Sing
1.13 Jingle Bells
