Donny Hathaway’s ‘This Christmas’ has become something of a Christmas standard. My I-tunes library shows 20 different versions of the tune and that’s just the tip off the iceberg!
Latest artist to follow the ‘This Christmas’ trail is young multi-instrumentalist – JUSTIN LEE SCHULTZ. A month or two back the prodigious 13-year-old impressed with his debut album, ‘Gruv Kid’ – a classic smooth jazz collection that featured input from people like Bob James and Gerald Albright.
Justin’s new version of ‘This Christmas’ is a respectful instrumental take – no gimmicks or surprises, save for the obvious mastery the young man has over his sparkling keys! And keeping it in the family, his sister Jamie-Leigh plays drums.
We all know that, like the song says, this Christmas will be special …for all kinds of reasons. It’ll certainly be different but offerings like Justin’s ‘This Christmas’ offer reassurance and hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s available now via Shanachie Records.
