The Christmas Song

Composed by
Mel Tormé
Arranged by
Ryan Hume
Price
£ 25.00 

Mel Tormé, nicknamed "The Velvet Fog," was an American musician, singer, composer, arranger, drummer, actor and author. He composed the music for The Christmas Song and co-wrote the lyrics with Bob Wells.

Welcome to Skool of Brass

  • For Conductors, Teachers and/or Students
  • Percussion Backing Tracks to accompany Superbrass Educational Material
  • Backing Tracks are Free to Download
  • We always use 4 bars of Introduction before each tune starts (unless otherwise stated)
  • Turn your Practice into a Performance and have fun !
  • 4 Trumpets
  • 1 Horn in F
  • 4 Trombones
  • 1 Tuba
  • All Alternative Brass Parts Included

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Description

Melvin Howard Tormé (September 1925–June 1999), known professionally as Mel Tormé, nicknamed "The Velvet Fog," was an American musician, singer, composer, arranger, drummer, actor and author. He composed the music for The Christmas Song and co-wrote the lyrics with Bob Wells. Born in Chicago, Illinois, to immigrant Russian Jewish parents, whose surname had been Torma. A child prodigy, he first performed professionally aged 4 with the Coon-Sanders Orchestra, singing "You're Driving Me Crazy" at Chicago's Blackhawk restaurant. He played drums in the drum-and-bugle corps at school, between 1933 to 1941, he acted in radio programs. He wrote his first song at 13. Three years later his first published song, Lament to Love, became a hit for bandleader Harry James. From 1942 to 1943, he was a member of a band led by Chico Marx of the Marx Brothers, he was the band singer, drummer and also did some arrangements. In 1943, Tormé made his movie debut in Frank Sinatra's first film, the musical Higher and Higher. His appearance in the 1947 film musical Good News made him a teen idol. He formed the vocal quintet Mel Tormé and His Mel-Tones, modeled on Frank Sinatra and The Pied Pipers. The Mel-Tones had several hits fronting Artie Shaw's band and on their own, including Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love?" The Mel-Tones were among the first jazz-influenced vocal groups, blazing a path later followed by The Manhattan Transfer. Though he spent most of his career singing jazz, Tormé had a deep appreciation for classical music, especially that of Frederick Delius and Percy Grainger, described as the only white man who sings with the soul of a black man. Tormé wrote more than 250 songs, several of which became standards and often wrote the arrangements for the songs that he then sang. The Christmas Song (commonly subtitled Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) was written in 1946. The song was written on a swelteringly hot and sunny day in California, while he and his lyricist Bob Wells were sitting down in an effort to "stay cool by thinking cool” and coming up with as many 'mid-wintery' things they could think of in an attempt to cool themselves down. It was recorded first by Nat King Cole. Tormé said it was one of his favourites, calling it "my annuity".

“Every now and again a recording that is both truly outstanding and will have great appeal to brass band listeners appears on the shelves. We are delighted to make it the first recipient of our CD of the Year Editors Award.”

Kenneth Crookston
British Bandsman

“Another impressive offering then from Superbrass, and a worthy successor to their excellent debut disc”

Dr. Gavin Dixon
Classical-CD-Reviews.Com

“One of the all time great brass recordings OF ALL TIME”

Jiggs Whigham
International Jazz Trombone Soloist and Musical Director, BBC Big Band

“Superbrass is superfun ! This Phillip Jones-inspired brass ensemble based in London has recorded a remarkably colorful and engaging CD”

Lydia Van Dreel
The Horn Call Journal of the International Horn Society

“Under the Spell of Spain is a showcase of virtuosic playing by some of London’s finest brass and percussion players. Highly recommended!”

Jon Gorrie
Founder, BrassMusician.com

“Another impressive offering then from Superbrass, and a worthy successor to their excellent debut disc”

Dr. Gavin Dixon
Classical-CD-Reviews.Com
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