  Cape Cod Bay | "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was composed by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blaine for the 1944 film "Meet Me in St. Louis" featuring Judy Garland. Since then it's been recorded by many artists, from the original by Judy Garland to a version by Twisted Sister that's, well...twisted! In 2002 I wrote an arrangement of the song for the album "Mistletoe Sax" by the North Star Jazz Ensemble with the Hawthorne String Quartet. As a jazz arranger I added some twists of my own to the original chord progression that accompanies the melody. Using a technique called "reharmonization", I changed some chords and added others in my quest to bring complexity, interest and a more jazzy sound to the original, simpler chord progression. Reharmonization offers the opportunity for a new perspective on a familiar piece of music. Each week I walk several times on the beach along Cape Cod Bay. Although my steps follow the same route, on each walk the beach is different due to shifting sands, storms, tides, etc. My familiar walk is made more interesting by these changes of perspective. Comparing that to reharmonization in music, my steps are like the melody and the beach is like the reharmonized chord progression that supports it. As you listen to this recording of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" you'll notice the melody follows its familiar path and stays true to the original throughout. But beginning with the second verse, if you focus more closely on the reharmonized chord progression supporting it, you might notice that the melody sounds or feels a bit different in its new setting. I hope you enjoy this different perspective! Happy Holidays one and all! |
A music lead sheet for this arrangement is available to view and/or download for free on the Original Music page. Also viewable below to enable following along with the recording.
Many thanks to my musical colleague, guitarist Fred Fried, whose amazing spontaneous reharmonizations inspired this arrangement. Visit his YouTube channel to view his discussions about some of his own arrangements for solo jazz guitar.
Streaming on all platforms. Click the image below to listen to the arrangement of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas on YouTube.
Free to listen, no account or subscription required.
Many thanks to my musical colleague, guitarist Fred Fried, whose amazing spontaneous reharmonizations inspired this arrangement. Visit his YouTube channel to view his discussions about some of his own arrangements for solo jazz guitar.
Streaming on all platforms. Click the image below to listen to the arrangement of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas on YouTube.
Free to listen, no account or subscription required.
| | Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by The North Star Jazz Ensemble Bruce Abbott, arranger, soprano saxophone Ron Fournier, piano Marty Ballou, bass Paul Mason, drums With the Hawthorne String Quartet Si-Jing Huan, violin Ronan Lefkowitz, violin Mark Ludwig, viola Sato Knudsen, cello |
Use these links to explore the entire album.
Mistletoe Sax by Bruce Abbott & The North Star Jazz Ensemble with The Hawthorne String Quartet
Amazon Music
Apple Music
YouTube
Spotify
Pandora
Mistletoe Sax by Bruce Abbott & The North Star Jazz Ensemble with The Hawthorne String Quartet
Amazon Music
Apple Music
YouTube
Spotify
Pandora
