Boston Jazz Tension Boils Over into Four-part Christmas Harmony

PR Log (Press Release) – Nov 05, 2009 – Boston, MA -- Jazz vocalists in Boston, home of the world-renowned Berklee School of Music, are rebelling against a slow economy by creating a vocal group just for them.  While there has been discussion in this musical community for years about the possibility of a tight-harmonied caroling group, it took a transplant from LA to push the idea to reality.

The director of The Boston Carolers, Anna Callahan, worked as a professional jazz trumpet player, arranger, and singer in Los Angeles before moving to Boston.  While in LA, she sang in multiple professional caroling groups, and is modeling The Boston Carolers on the best of those experiences.

"Boston's jazz vocalists are every bit as talented and professional as the studio vocalists I sang with in LA," says Callahan.  "All they needed was someone to organize them."

Unlike other caroling groups, the main focus of the Boston Carolers is the music -- the musicianship of each singer and the rich vocal arrangements of the carols.  Each vocalist in this group is a professional powerhouse: some have toured internationationally and performed at Carnegie Hall; some teach or taught at Berklee and other jazz programs around the country; many have CDs of their own.  

"Ever since hearing 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' as a kid, I have loved the sound of Holiday music performed in a jazz style," says David Scott, Associate Professor at Berklee and Boston Carolers member.  "Now Boston has a group up to the task!"

Berklee grad Marcia Feldman remarks, “Coming together with the best musicians in the Boston area to swing in the holidays is such a treat!  It's been a long time coming.”