Album review: Ted Nash and Kristen Lee Sergeant – Holidays (Sunnyside Records)

Multi saxophonist, composer and arranger, Ted Nash collaborates with his partner in life and song, Kristen Lee Sergeant on Holidays, released in November 2023. Despite the title, Holidays delivers a much deeper and broader remit than a token collection of Yule melodies that are attractive to the refined chattering classes for its jazzifying of this great trove of 19/20th century songdom. Many of the selections are songs equally playable 12 months a year and celebrate the joy and hope that is not unique to Christmastime.

This is clearly evident in the selections, all of which are distinct standards that illuminate different sides of the same coin. Composers like Dorough, Tormé, Rodgers, Frishberg, Thad Jones and Leroy Anderson all get an equal airing on Holidays.

Sergeant is a jazz vocalist of effervescent energy and dramatic intensity fuelled with a theatrical background resulting in her storytelling being imbued with sonic conversation with both the charts and the musicians.

Nash, perhaps known best for his long-time membership as both alto saxophonist and featured composer with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis comes to the fore in both roles on Holidays. His soloing on soprano and tenor saxes and flute raises the bar significantly and adds a lot to the proceedings. The scion of legendary Hollywood studio trombonist, Dick Nash and nephew of top LA reedman, Ted Nash, it is clear that Nash has carried the family torch well into the 21st century with aplomb.

His unique treatment of the songs illustrate his command and influence of the likes of Bob Brookmeyer (who he played under with the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra in the 1980s), Bill Holman, Thad Jones and Gil Evans. All of which are equally and healthily dolloped with his own techniques and innovations to boot.

This all star NYC ensemble is dotted with the likes of Sherman Irby and Paul Nezella gripping the saxes, trumpeters, James Zollar and Marcus Printup and Jennifer Krupa’s trombone. The crack rhythm team of Adam Birmbaum (piano), Jay Anderson (bass) and drummer Jared Schonig guide and underscore the music with undeniable verve, subtlety and swing throughout.

Holidays indeed! Grab your copy of this fine offering well before the 2024 Christmas season lands upon us. Frank Griffith

BANDCAMP

(Frank Griffith is a Liverpool based saxist, clarinettist and arranger. His weekly radio show THE JAZZ CAVERN airs on www.purjazzradio.com www.frankgriffith.co.uk)