Baltimore-reared, Berklee-based pianist, composer, vocalist and educator Dr. John Paul McGee, Ph.D. (AKA Dr. JP) brightens up the holidays with 11 tracks of original and classic Christmas selections with his unique Gospejazzical sound: a pianistic amalgam of gospel, jazz and classical genres.

An assistant chair of piano at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Dr. McGee has worked and recorded with a wide variety ofsecular and religious artists including Stevie Wonder, Cory Henry, Najee, Patti Labelle, Kim Burrell, and The Clark Sisters. He was the featured pianist in the 2017 movie, A Question of Faith. His previous recordings include Gospejazzical, Vol.1 (2022).

1. Emmanuel (5:23)
2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (7:05)
3. Little Drummer Boy (4:12)
4. Christmas Time Is Here (4:07)
5. What Child is This (5:07)
6. The Manger Medley (4:20)
7. Jesus What a Wonderful Child (7:35)
8. Oh Holy Night (4:54)
9. Mary Did You Know (4:33)
10. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (5:33)
11. Go Tell It on the Mountain (3:11)

McGee’s magical musical hybrid, which provides the right mix to spice up the holiday season in solo, duo, trio and quartet configurations, opens on the joyously free flowing Emmanuel and the simply delightful Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and then along comes the furtive Little Drummer Boy, the languishing balladry of Christmas Time Is Here, and the veritable stillness of What Child is This.

Then we get brought forth the delicately-hued The Manger Medley and the mid-tempo hipsway of Jesus What a Wonderful Child, and they are in turn backed by the crystalline Oh Holy Night, the more emboldened Mary Did You Know, the album rounding out on the finger-snapper God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, closing on the shimmering, Gospel-imbibed Go Tell It on the Mountain.

McGee started playing piano at the age of four. He studied piano and organ with the late Dr. Nathan Carter, earned his B.A. with a concentration in piano performance from Bethune-Cookman College, A Masters of Art in Religion degree from Liberty University and a Doctorate of Ministry with a concentration in Pastoral Care and Counseling from the Interdenominational Theological Center.

John Paul McGee’s Gospejazzical sound brings many musical genres together for the holidays.

Musicians:
John Paul McGee – Piano/Vocals
Larry Wilson – Drums
Joel Powell – Bass
Patrick Arthur – Guitar
Wendi Henderson Wyatt – Vocals
Lori Williams – Vocals

www.johnpaulmcgee.com

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