Dmitri Matheny

Jazz holiday releases have to do a balancing act in order to avoid being banished by family members who care more about holiday cheer than John Coltrane (the nerve!). They should offer something adventurous for jazz enthusiasts without straying too far for the more casual listener. Flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny gets the balance just right on this mainstream jazz Christmas set. Three vocalists (including Paul West)guest but it is Matheny's warm-toned playing and his regular working band's accompaniment that really makes this one shine.