Jazz combo & solo classical guitar · 2025
Merry Christmas from Greg Chako
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About the album
From Greg
The genesis for this record began during COVID when I occupied myself by writing solo arrangements on classical guitar. As COVID dissipated and I became busier with my jazz recording and teaching career in Cincinnati, I stopped playing classical guitar and the arrangements I’d made got put aside.
Then a few years later, one of my fellow teachers at The Oxford Music Academy where I taught, expressed interest in those arrangements. When I shared some with him, he told me that he loved them, and that they really deserved to be heard. That’s when the idea for this album began in earnest.
With the help of my treasured team of collaborators, my 1st all-Christmas album has been realized. I hope you’ll play this record over-and-over in your house during the holidays, because what I recall from my childhood is hearing these songs throughout the home non-stop, often played by a guitarist. I sincerely hope that this music helps to make your season happy and bright!
– Greg Chako
Listen
Track list
- 01Hark the Herald Angels Sing(F. Mendelssohn)Solo Guitar2:20
- 02Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas(H. Martin)Solo Guitar2:35
- 03Winter Wonderland(F. Bernard)3:57
- 04The Christmas Song(M. Tormé)3:17
- 05I’ll Be Home for Christmas(W. Kent)Solo Guitar3:08
- 06Deck the Halls(Welsh traditional)Solo Guitar1:50
- 07A Child Is Born(T. Jones)5:28
- 08Santa Claus(R. Estrin)2:49
- 09Silent Night(F. Gruber)Solo Guitar2:41
- 10God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen(English traditional)Solo Guitar1:44
- 11Christmas Time Is Here(V. Guaraldi)3:43
- 12I’ll Be Home for Christmas(W. Kent)6:21
- 13Christmas Comes but Once a Year(S. Timberg)3:41
- 14Danny Boy(F. Weatherly)Solo Guitar2:03
- 15Greensleeves(English folksong)Solo Guitar2:06
- 16Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas(H. Martin)2:45
- 17The Christmas Waltz(S. Cahn / J. Styne)3:20
- 18Silent Night(F. Gruber)3:22
- 19Christmas Time Is Here(V. Guaraldi)Solo Guitar2:21
- 20We Three Kings(J. H. Hopkins)3:18
- 21My Foolish Heart(V. Young)3:26
Liner Notes
Video
GREG CHAKO "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" & "The Christmas Song"
Reviews
What the critics said
“Greg has put together a wonderful assortment of songs for the holiday season… All in all a fine CD with wonderful arrangements to get you into the Christmas season. It worked for me. Thanks Greg for leaving us with a gem.”
If you enjoy listening to classic popular Christmas music and the guitar, “Merry Christmas from Greg Chako” needs to be in your music collection. Greg has put together a wonderful assortment of songs for the holiday season. Solo classical guitar arrangements by Greg take up half of this CD while the other half contains jazz settings in various scoring; jazz guitar / double bass, jazz guitar / harmonica and double bass, jazz guitar / vocals and double bass, jazz guitar / vocals, harmonica and double bass, all backed up with tasteful percussion. The repertoire covers a wide range of sacred to secular songs and hymns, all coming from a jazz point of reference. Some of his harmonizations are quite unique but very satisfying, sometimes simply adding a 9th or 11th to the standard prescribed chord and at other times taking us for a little, off the path, excursion before bringing us back home. His lovely version of “Winter Wonderland” includes some nice exchanges between the guitar and harmonica leads. He really got me laughing, though, when he ended the piece with the old “Shave and a haircut, two bits”.
The solo classical guitar arrangements are quite engaging with their substitute harmonies and jazz like voicings. I was particularly taken with his version of Greensleeves, starting with an uptempo 4/4 walking bass and then shifting into a cool jazzy 3/4. A very fresh arrangement. We get to hear two settings of “Silent Night”, one for solo classical guitar and one for jazz ensemble, and two settings of “Christmas Time”, one solo classical guitar and one jazz ensemble. I was really taken with the jazz ensemble version of “Christmas Time”. It is beautifully set and played. I think he captured the character of the piece perfectly. The wide variety of songs, including a real foot-stomper, “Santa Claus”, are woven together to best display the diversity in this recording. The last jazz ensemble piece gives the drummer a chance to solo. He rises to the occasion with a solo that reminds me a bit of Joe Morello, of the Dave Brubeck quartet, but in 3/4 meter.
All in all a fine CD with wonderful arrangements to get you into the Christmas season. It worked for me. Thanks Greg for leaving us with a gem.
“Guitarist Greg Chako is undoubtedly one of the most prodigious guitarists around. It’s difficult to keep up with all of his releases, as so’s the pity, as each one has copious charms. Looking for new musical worlds to conquer, Chako celebrates Christmas this time out. And, in keeping with the Trinitarian aspect of Christmas, the renditions are delivered in three ways, intimate solo guitar, hip jazz combo with David Lloyd/b and Todd Remmy/dr and gritty swamp soul by adding David Burk on vocals and harmonica. A real stocking stuffer! The solos on pieces like “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” or “Greensleeves” show Chako’s touch in the tradition of Eddie Lang or Carl Kress, meaning clean, classy and clear. The easy swinging trios on the lithe “A Child Is Born”, “Christmas Time Is Here” and “The Christmas Waltz” are joyful and sublime. And when Burk joins in with voice and harp, the nativity scene turns into the VFW with some down home boogie on “Santa Claus” and “Christmas Comes But Once A Year”. A little extra nutmeg in the egg nog on this one!”
“Jazz guitarist Greg Chako has finally produced his very first all-Christmas album featuring twenty traditional Christmas standards with fresh new arrangements for jazz and classical guitar penned during the COVID times. The result is a jolly frolicking new Christmas sound like you’ve never heard before. Joining Greg on this holiday occasion are drummer Todd Remmy and the three kings or actually, the three swinging Davids. David Ferrara on the classical guitar, David S. Burk on harmonica and vocals and David Lloyd on bass. With a Christmas cheer and a sparkling Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas from Greg Chako will ring in the jingle bells and the holiday season with a smile and a chime that Christmas time is finally here.”
