Marty Ashby shares a fresh collection of new Christmas releases to ease you into the season.
Straight No Chaser opens the hour with “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” followed by new holiday tracks from Rick Braun and April Varner’s elegant take on “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” Jake Shimabukuro offers a thoughtful reading of “What Child Is This,” and Bela Fleck & The Flecktones bring good cheer with “Linus and Lucy.”
Marty keeps the spirit going with Herb Alpert’s warm version of “Christmas Time Is Here,” selections from Swingin’ in the Holidays featuring Olivia Chindamo and Konrad Paszkudzki, Benny Benack III’s cozy “The Christmas Song,” and Wycliff Gordon’s soulful “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The hour wraps with the Count Basie Orchestra and Johnny Mathis, plus two vibrant Cuban-inspired holiday tracks from Sarah Willis & The Sarahbanda.
A mix of new interpretations, classic melodies, and a little seasonal sparkle — all on this week’s Spotlight Show, produced by MCG Jazz.
Friday and Sunday at 6pm, Saturday afternoon at 1 on WZUM
