Harford, CT (Top40 Charts/ Powderfinger Promotions) The Colbys, led by Grammy and Emmy Award-Winning composer John Colby, release "Christmas Gumbo" - a swinging and funky take on familiar Christmas classics drawing on big band, New Orleans R&B, and traditional gospel roots. "Christmas Gumbo" is destined to become a perennial Christmas favorite.
The Colbys are a New Orleans style band with influences from jazz to down home blues, featuring vocalist Bev Rohlehr and keyboardist John Colby. Rohlehr has performed and recorded with the
National Jazz Ensemble and the Mel Lewis Big Band. Rohlehr is the only woman to have recorded with the Persuasions and she has appeared nationally on ESPN's ESPY Awards and the NASCAR Awards Show. Rohlehr's style has been compared to Etta James, Ruth Brown, and Ruthie Foster. Colby is a keyboardist, composer, arranger, and producer He was music director/ band leader for the late Clarence Clemons (Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band). Clemons and Colby produced two albums together. Colby is best known for his Grammy winning soundtrack for Ken Burn's "Civil War," ESPN's iconic Sportscenter theme, in addition he has written hundreds of sports themes heard on ESPN, NBC, FOX, and ABC Sports.
"Christmas Gumbo" delivers with big band arrangements of "Santa's Comin'," "White Christmas," and "Winter Wonderland." "Twas The Night Before Christmas" is a slow jam with a New Orleans hook. The fun, jazz fusion arrangement of "My (Bev's) Favorite Things" delivers a creative lyrical twist. "Santa's Hideaway," a funky New Orleans tune that answers the question, "Where is
Santa to be found when he's off work?" Gospel interpretations of "Joy To the World" and "
Silent Night" complete the package. Finally, the album includes a spare reading of "The Christmas Song," featuring Larry Etkin (James Brown, Bette Midler) on trumpet.
"Christmas Gumbo"'s all-star cast of gospel and R&B musicians includes Adrian Harpum (The Nevilles, Dr. John, Henry Butler) on drums, Lincoln Schleifer (Levon Helm, Donald Fagen) on bass, Cris Cioe (James Brown, Rolling Stones) on baritone sax, Larry Etkin (Bette Midler, Rolling Stones, Sam Moore) on trumpet, Curt Ramm (Bruce Springsteen, They Might Be Giants) on trumpet, Bill Holloman (Nile Rodgers' Chic, Blood Sweat and Tears) on tenor sax and trumpet, and Gary Sieger (Donald Fagen, Maxine Brown) on guitar.
The Colbys will be performing:
Dec 14 Matthew's Restaurant, Unionville, CT https://www.matthews-restaurant.com/
Dec 21
Black Eyed Sallys , Hartford, CT https://blackeyedsallys.com/
Dec 30 The Grog ,Newburyport, Mass https://www.thegrog.com/
Dec 14 Matthew's Restaurant, Unionville, CT https://www.matthews-restaurant.com/
Jan 13 Baby Grand Jazz Series, Hartford Public Library
