Kersten Stevens
The Gift
www.kerstenstevens.com
All I had to hear was that gospel/hip hop/jazz violinist Kersten Stevens was putting out a Christmas album, and I knew it would be superb. Sometimes you just know these things.
And of course I was right.
On The Gift, the versatile Kersten brandishes her bow like a magic wand, transforming a handful of Holiday classics into marvelous jazz performances. A combo featuring Mark Brown, Miki Hayama, Ulysses Owens and Tony Cimorosi provides energetic backup, giving Kersten free rein over the melodic theme and variations as the spirit moved her.
Tracks include a modern “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman.”
The penultimate moment on The Gift is “O Holy Night.” Kersten gives the song a delicate and sweet reading that highlights the essential beauty of the melody.
Another example of why Kersten Stevens is a gift to music.
The Gift is available through her website: www.kerstenstevens.com.
Three of Four Stars
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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