'The Happy Elf’ song now a children’s book Read more: The Herald-Sun

Publication: Durham Herald-Sun
Author: Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan
Date: December 3, 2011

“Eubie, Eubie, Eubie.” So says Santa Claus to his elf that breaks North Pole rules – but all for the good of children at Christmas.

Musician, singer, composer and actor Harry Connick Jr. can add picture book author to his list of talents with the new children’s book “The Happy Elf” (Harper Collins, $17.99).

It’s a fun Christmas story about Eubie’s love for Christmas, so much so that he must find a way for children on the naughty list in Bluesville to move over to the nice list. It turns out unburnable coal looming over the town brings the blues to Bluesville, but Eubie has an idea of how to shine and spruce it up. He used his elf hat to transport himself, which is against North Pole rules, but all in the name of kindness.

It’s a sweet story aimed at children ages 4 to 8, but this reviewer’s 3-year-old loved it, too, every bit of the story as well as the illustrations by Dan Andreasen. Read more »

Submitted by Bobby on December 5th, 2011 — 05:18pm

Harry Connick, Jr. on The Today Show

Harry Connick, Jr. spoke about his children’s book, The Happy Elf, his newest Trio recording, Music From The Happy Elf, and his current Broadway project, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever on December 5’s The Today Show. Check him out here!

Submitted by Bobby on December 5th, 2011 — 12:46pm

Zenón, Adasiewicz, Lage top best jazz list

Publication: Chicago Tribune
Author: Howard Reich
Date: December 3, 2011

The jazz year produced recordings of tremendous vitality, creativity and intellectual heft.

Miguel Zenón, “Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook” (Marsalis Music): Alto saxophonist Zenón has been exploring music of his Puerto Rican heritage for years, but with “Alma Adentro” he arrives at a remarkable musical nexus: the place where jazz improvisation, Puerto Rican popular song and quasi-classical orchestration converge.
Read more »

Submitted by Bobby on December 5th, 2011 — 11:45am

The holiday music preview

Publication: Toronto Sun
Author: Darryl Sterdan
Date: November 26, 2011
Harry Connick Jr.
Music From The Happy Elf
It’s the gift that keeps on giving. Connick’s Elf has grown from a tune to a TV special to a kids’ book — which comes with this swingin’ instrumental CD of bumptious NOLA jazz and post-bop.

DOWNLOAD: What a Night

2.5 out of 3

For Darryl’s other picks, please visit the original article here.

Submitted by Bobby on December 2nd, 2011 — 01:16pm

Bon Iver leads area's Grammy pack

Publication: News & Observer
Author: David Menconi
Date: December 1, 2011

David Menconi provides a roundup of North Carolina Triangle area related Grammy nominations.

As for other nominations of North Carolina interest:
Marsalis Music, the label of Durham jazzman Branford Marsalis, scored in the category of best large jazz ensemble album for “Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook.”

Read the entire article here.

Submitted by Bobby on December 2nd, 2011 — 11:37am