Leader of his swing orchestra since 1980, George Gee and his band have been fixtures in the New York Swing scene since the early ’90s, with a long running residency at Times Square SWING46 Jazz Club.

Their newest recording, Winter Wonderland (due out November 1st, 2023) consists of ten beloved Christmas songs which, with its David Gibson arrangements, are filled with swinging ensembles, passionate solos and subtle surprises.

The nine-piece group includes six superior horn players along with a masterful rhythm trio, and who all have opportunities to solo in addition to adding their individual voices to the ensembles.

1. Winter Wonderland Mambo (3:25)
2. What Child is This? (5:17)
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (3:37)
4. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen (5:54)
5. I’ll Be Home For Christmas (3:37)
6. Baby, It’s Cold Outside (3:08)
7. The Christmas Song (3:51)
8. O Tannenbaum (5:29)
9. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? (4:27)
10. Jingle Bells (2:50)

This dreamy new recording opens on the simply sumptuous Winter Wonderland Mambo and the luxuriously rewarding What Child is This and continues onward with a silky smooth, and the first John Dokes-sung track Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, a quietly fervent God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen and the playfully rambunctious swinger I’ll Be Home For Christmas.

Next, Hilary Gardner joins Dokes on a dutiful, yet soulfully-hued Baby, It’s Cold Outside and the laid back, low slung Mel Torme gem The Christmas Song, the recording rounding out on the warm embrace within O Tannenbaum, a wholly lavish What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?, closing out on a bountifully joyful Jingle Bells.

Musicians: George Gee - bandleader; John Dokes - vocals; David Gibson - trombone, music dr., arranger; Freddie Hendrix - trumpet; Andy Gravish - trumpet, flugelhorn; Michael Hashim - tenor saxophone; Anthony Nelson Jr. - alto saxophone; Patience Higgins - baritone saxophone; Steve Einerson - piano; Malik McLaurine - bass and Chris Latona - drums.

Except Track 6: Ed Pazant replaces Nelson Jr.; Tony Lustig replaces Higgins; Marcus McLaurine replaces McLaurine and Hilary Gardner joins Dokes for a vocal duet.

Official Purchase Link

www.georgegee.com