The Christmas Project

The Christmas Project is an international project led by Dutch jazz vocalist 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 Clare Wheeler and Amelia Ong. 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 Clemens Van Der Feen on bass and Yoràn 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 a burning sax solo by Paul van der Feen. 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 adds her warm trumpet sound on the jazz ballad A child is born and the playful Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Influences: Take 6, Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, Israel & New Breed, Tord Gustavsen and many others.