photo by Anthony Saint James

This month…

• a new free arrangement

• new releases

• “City Lights Hide the Stars” - CD presale

• recommendations

Free Arrangement

If you know me, you know that I love Christmas, but I am not a fan of Christmas music. Spending 17 years teaching elementary school music meant singing Xmas songs with the little ones, every day for weeks, year after year after year. Ho, Ho, No.

That being said, I have been working on jazz harmony and chord melody arranging, and one of the best ways to do that is by reharmonizing simple melodies. The Christmas song “O, Tannenbaum” is perfect for that kind of exercise.

This reharmonization gets away from the typical three or four chord diatonic harmony and instead uses lots of chord substitutions. It's also a good workout for the left hand. I hope you enjoy playing it, or just listening.

And no…I will not be recording a Christmas album. Ever. Lol.

“O, Tannenbaum” - Notation/TABs

“O, Tannenbaum” - Video Download

New Releases

The first songs from my upcoming new album, “City Lights Hide the Stars”, have made it out into the world. If you haven't had a chance to listen, look for them on your favorite streaming platforms. 

I have also made videos to go along with each of the five singles coming out prior to the full release.

Videos:

Solitude and the Night

Temporary Waltz

Upcoming releases…

“If the Weather Holds” - Friday December 13

“The Machine and the Garden” - December 27

“Streetlight Glow” - January 10

City Lights Hide the Stars

CD Presale Now Open!

If you are someone who still appreciates owning a hard copy of your music, you can preorder a CD copy of “City Lights Hide the Stars” over on my website now. 

CDs will ship before the official release date of 01/17/2025. If you order in early December, you can have your copy/copies before Xmas. 

(If you preorder a "City Lights Hide the Stars" CD, you will receive a digital download on the day of the official release 01/17/25.)

Holiday sale

Everything on my website, including CDs, downloads, and TABs, are all on sale for the month of December. Use the code Vin's Sale for a 20% discount on all items.

Recommendations

• click the pics for links •

Leonardo da Vinci - A Film by Ken Burns

That's all for now. I hope you and your families have a wonderful holiday season!

I really appreciate you reading these, and for supporting my music. Thank you!

Cheers, 

Vin