| It all begins with one boy's desperate need to understand what Christmas is all about. He can't help but wonder, is it something to be found in a holiday pageant, a Christmas Lights & Display contest, or in simply picking the perfect tree? So proceeds the story of A Charlie Brown Christmas, one of our most beloved childrens' holiday specials and one among the many animated jewels from the mind of Charles Schulz. Beyond that, it is also the impetus for one of the holiday's most inspired musical moments. Now, acclaimed pianist Cyrus Chestnut assembles an all-star cast and takes a remarkable creative step forward with his new Holidays 2000 recording of A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS. On this, his sixth Atlantic album, Chestnut is joined in the studio by such top players as Michael Brecker, Don Alias, Stefon Harris, Wallace Roney, Gary Bartz, Kenny Garrett, Pat Marino, Steve Turre, and Atlantic labelmates Steve Cole and the Manhattan Transfer. Built around the core trio of Chestnut (on both piano and Hammond), the unparalleled kit master Steve Gadd (Chick Corea, Bob James, Al DiMeola, Tom Scott, Grover Washington, Jr., David Sanborn), and bassist Christian McBride (Dave Brubeck, Betty Carter, Joshua Redman, Roy Hargrove), the album also marks the debut of the Ed and Guy Eckstine production team. The brothers - sons of the legendary Billy Eckstine - have won raves for their individual producer works, but they shine even brighter as a brother act.
Among the album's many standout moments are masterful appearances from the multi-platinum-selling Vanessa Williams, who sings on the gentle "Christmas Time Is Here" with the renowned Boys Choir of Harlem, and R&B star Brian McKnight, stirring and classic on "The Christmas Song."
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