In this interview, Phil Nusbaum for KBEM Jazz 88 radio speaks with Courtney Burton about the holiday songs she performs with the Minnesota Jazz Chamber Orchestra. Courtney talks about the joy of performing music that brings families together during the holiday season. She shares her love for the song "Sleigh Ride" and how it evokes a sense of nostalgia and innocence about the holiday season. She also discusses the hidden musical greatness of the song and its bridge. Courtney talks about the new spins on old favorites that the Minnesota Jazz Chamber Orchestra is doing.

Get a glimpse into the holiday shows with many snippets included in this interview. Click here to listen.

Interview Transcript

Courtney Burton

I just love the fact that these shows bring families together. One of the things that I've noticed over the last few years that we've done these shows during the December timeframe is that you see, mom and dad. You'll see teenagers. You'll see young children and sometimes you see grandma and grandpa, or you might see grandma and grandpa out there without everybody else because they're making a date night.

 

Phil Nusbaum

You've talked about songs like “Sleigh Ride” and there's a certain mood of that that you like.

 

Courtney Burton

The thing I love about this song is it evokes that that feeling of yesteryear when there was an innocence about the holiday season or the winter season, and all the activities that happen during that timeframe and the music just kind of brings that nostalgia back.

 

Phil Nusbaum

It is sort of like a sleigh ride. It's the antithesis of the modern world or the postmodern world where you're supposed to carry on regardless. In “Sleigh Ride,” it's oh…. I think we just have to go out and build a snowman.

 

Courtney Burton

Exactly. All those memories that come back, you know, just even the way the songs start. There's something about it that makes you feel like you're actually on a sleigh that's being driven by horses. There's just something about the cadence and the music that does that.

Phil Nusbaum

Courtney, we think of songs like “Sleigh Ride” as being part of a seasonal thing, but is there kind of a hidden, musically great part of that song?

 

Courtney Burton

I love the juxtaposition of the bridge of that song. It evokes a whole different feeling from the rest of the music, and it again transports you to a different place when you're listening to it, and then it comes back and it resolves itself musically and you go right back into that feeling of literally being on a slave doesn't stop.

 

Phil Nusbaum

We're speaking with Courtney Burton, who sings wintry Christmassy songs with the Minnesota Jazz Chamber Orchestra. What do you like about the song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”?

 

Courtney Burton

I'm pretty partial to a version that we do that was inspired by Ella Fitzgerald's version. And it just has a nice swing to it, you know? And it does really speak to my sentiment for the season. Just have, just a Merry Little Christmas. Let's take some of the stress out of the holiday and enjoy our family and friends. And that's what that song speaks to me.

 

Phil Nusbaum

Courtney, we think about Christmas music as being the old favorites. But there are new spins on old favorites, and you're pretty wild about the way you're doing “Silver Bells.”

 

Courtney Burton

The version that we do was arranged by Josh May of this traditional song. It swings. It has amazing horn parts. I really am excited about the debut of the song for us.

 

Phil Nusbaum

I am, too, Courtney, because the Minnesota Jazz Chamber Orchestra really makes the song swing. Well, we've got time for one more song clip, and I'm going to pick one out. This is one that, in my humble opinion, should be done more frequently, “What are you doing New Year's Eve?” Courtney Burton and the Minnesota Jazz Chamber Orchestra perform at Brianna's Chart House in Lakeville, on Thursday, December 21, at 7 pm. This is one of several seasonal shows by this group. For complete coverage of the shows, the web address is courtneyburtonmusic.com. This program was made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Phil Nusbaum speaking.