Jazz Around Town December 2019

Peter Curtis plays unaccompanied guitar throughout Christmas With Your Jewish Boyfriend. In his career thus far, he has worked with such notables as James Moody, James Carter, Freddy Cole, and Barbara Morrison. A tasteful guitarist who always keeps the melody nearby, Curtis recalls Joe Pass at times during this solo recital, simultaneously filling in the theme, bass lines, chords and improvised sections. He does not stick strictly to ballad tempos and often cooks at an impressive pace. Among the highlights are “Winter Wonderland,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Christmas Time Is Here,” and his original “Christmas With Your Jewish Boyfriend” on which he takes an effective vocal. The results are quite pleasing.