Watch highlights from the CCM Jazz Orchestra's holiday concert

CCM's Department of Jazz Studies recently welcomed a near-sellout crowd for its annual holiday concert. This year's performance featured jazz pianist and composer Ted Rosenthal as a special guest artist, with the CCM Jazz Orchestra performing selections from Rosenthal's acclaimed Wonderland holiday album.

Released in 2013, Rosenthal's Wonderland album was selected as a New York Times holiday pick. In the Chicago Tribune's review of the album, arts critic Howard Reich wrote, “For those who like their holiday music sleek, chic and elegant, Wonderland takes you there."

Highlights from the concert are now available for on-demand viewing, including:

• Felix Bernard and Ricard B. Smith's "Winter Wonderland," as arranged by Rosenthal and Sergio Pamies;
• J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie's "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town," as arranged by Rosenthal and Craig Bailey;
• The Classical Jazz Quartet's arrangement of J.S. Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," as transcribed and adapted by Alex Nicodemus;
• "Dance of the Reed Flutes" from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, as arranged by Rosenthal and Mark Buselli;
• "Greensleeves," as arranged by Rosenthal and Eric Lechliter;
• Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride," as arranged by Rosenthal and Matt Harris.

CCM faculty member Scott Belck conducts. The performance was recorded in Patricia Corbett Theater on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.

Ted Rosenthal is one of the leading jazz pianist/composers of his generation. He has performed worldwide as a soloist, with his trio, and with many jazz greats including Gerry Mulligan, Art Farmer, Phil Woods and James Moody. Winner of the Thelonious Monk International Competition, Rosenthal has released 15 critically acclaimed CDs as a leader. His latest, Rhapsody in Gershwin, reached #1 on iTunes and Amazon. Rosenthal has been a featured soloist with major orchestras including the Detroit Symphony and Phoenix Symphony. An active composer, Rosenthal’s jazz opera, Dear Erich, was commissioned and premiered by New York City Opera in 2019. The recipient of three NEA grants, Rosenthal has also been commissioned by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony and Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Rosenthal is an author and active in jazz education. He is on the faculties of the Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music. Learn more by visiting www.tedrosenthal.com.

This CCM OnStage Archives video was produced by CCM Recording Productions, an in-house video production entity that plans a season of live streams, promotional videos, short documentaries and concert recordings showcasing CCM students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Featured image at top: The CCM Jazz Orchestra performs with guest artist Ted Rosenthal in Patricia Corbett Theater. Photo taken from the video recording of CCM's concert on Nov. 24, 2024.