The Christmas Project

The Christmas Project is an international project led by Dutch jazz vocalist <a href="spotify:artist:0P0TYcSS3TyurRebouzK9s" data-name="Henk Kraaijeveld">Henk Kraaijeveld</a> and pianist <a href="spotify:artist:57RhpsU2bHEEkVQRsiyZSo" data-name="Jan Willem van Delft">Jan Willem van Delft</a>, in which their love for jazz, gospel, vocal polyphony and Christmas music come together. The intuitive approach from the two Dutchmen combines musical styles from all over the world. On top of ‘traditional jazz’ music, you’ll hear African percussion instruments, Middle-Eastern U’d sounds and vocal guest appearances from Clare Wheeler and <a href="spotify:artist:1AlWUkTDmOlO9cfrQ3VyKm" data-name="Amelia Ong">Amelia Ong</a>. Here is your ‘your not so average Christmas album’: COMFORT AND JOY.

The rhythm section features some of the top jazz musicians in the Netherlands, with <a href="spotify:artist:5o2BkPg8TNYZF5RhG5orfq" data-name="Clemens Van Der Feen">Clemens Van Der Feen</a> on bass and <a href="spotify:artist:7tjUp6LVClSGpu0HVmqmCD" data-name="Yoràn Vroom">Yoràn Vroom</a> on drums. There is an energetic version of O come, O come Emmanuel in a duet with Indonesian singer <a href="spotify:artist:1AlWUkTDmOlO9cfrQ3VyKm" data-name="Amelia Ong">Amelia Ong</a>. Go tell it on the Mountain goes through the roof in an up-tempo swing version with stunning Take6-ish background harmonies and a burning sax solo by <a href="spotify:artist:1s5QJK3dJhK5QmlTYgEV7w" data-name="Paul van der Feen">Paul van der Feen</a>. There is a beautiful and melancholic indie-jazz ballad version of In the bleak midwinter, featuring vocalist Clare Wheeler (UK). She also joins on a powerful arrangement of the medieval French folk song Noel Nouvelet, that features <a href="spotify:artist:3dwajyeZsnLp4sPlDWTqAs" data-name="Haytham Safia">Haytham Safia</a> on the ud and Sherwin Kirindongo on percussion. <a href="spotify:artist:0SuDkWStG8gmVnMRIng1oB" data-name="Suzan Veneman">Suzan Veneman</a> adds her warm trumpet sound on the jazz ballad A child is born and the playful Have yourself a merry little Christmas.


Influences: <a href="spotify:artist:31zQEL3ARiYe63jn3jtM18" data-name="Take 6">Take 6</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4gjFkHMQ2r46oQ7gsIQaCF" data-name="Brian Blade &amp; The Fellowship Band">Brian Blade &amp; The Fellowship Band</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:77HU1Zb1VDIFvWKteJii0E" data-name="Israel &amp; New Breed">Israel &amp; New Breed</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4KdX4Etzvh6jyp13NTJklt" data-name="Tord Gustavsen">Tord Gustavsen</a> and many others.