The Christmas Project is an international project led by singer Henk Kraaijeveld and pianist Jan Willem van Delft, 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 London and Bali. Here is your ‘your not so average Christmas album’: COMFORT AND JOY.
It’s been said many times before: music connects people all over the world and Christmas is THE time of the year that brings people together all over the world. “We grew up with this tradition and love to connect with people from various cultural and musical backgrounds. Through these elements we believe we become more human. Among the great treasure of songs we selected the ones that speak to us most through their joyful melodies and comforting lyrics. And gave them a little twist here and there.”
The rhythm section features some of the top jazz musicians in the Netherlands, with Clemens van der Feen on bass and Yorán Vroom on drums. There is an energetic version of O come, O come Emmanuel in a duet with Indonesian singer Amelia Ong. Go tell it on the Mountain goes through the roof in an up-tempo swing version with stunning Take6-ish background harmonies and Paul van der Feen burning on saxophone. 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 Haytham Safia on the ud and Sherwin Kirindongo on percussion. Suzan Veneman plays trumpet on the jazz ballad A child is born and the playful Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Henk Kraaijeveld is a recording artist and an internationally touring Dutch jazz vocalist, songwriter and educator. Pianist and arranger Jan Willem van Delft is a recording artist and well established in the gospel and jazz scene in the Netherlands.
