Holiday Soul Don Patterson

• 1Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer03:15
• 2What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?05:38
• 3You're All I Want For Christmas03:02
• 4Silent Night02:57
• 5O Holy Night03:14
• 6Santa Claus Is Coming To Town05:35
• 7Merry Christmas Baby06:06
• 8Jingle Bells08:42
• Total Runtime38:29

Info for Holiday Soul

„Basic production issues mandate that seasonal records be finished long before anyone in their right mind might think about Santa Claus, but some, like Holiday Soul, manage to capture the best of the season's feeling. Don Patterson, working here in the standard organ trio format with a young Pat Martino on guitar and drummer Billy James, has the holiday season down, uh, cold. The group put their own warm spin on winter classics, staying true to the melodies while giving themselves room to stretch out a bit. It adds up to a hopeful, fun record, perfect for any holiday party, no matter your affiliation.“ (Kurt Edwards, AMG)

Don Patterson, organ
Pat Martino, guitar
Billy James, drums

Recorded November 25, 1964 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Produced by Ozzie Cadena

Digitally remastered

Don Patterson (1936-1988)
was one of a strong generation of swinging organists who emerged after Jimmy Smith’s initial triumphs. It is a measure of his playing abilities that Sonny Stitt always considered him his favorite organist.

Patterson was originally a pianist influenced by Erroll Garner but, after hearing Smith in 1956, he switched to organ, playing professionally three years later. In addition to Stitt, Patterson worked with Gene Ammons, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery, and Eric Kloss plus his own duos (often with drummer Billy James) and trios.

After making his debut recording as a leader for Cadet in 1963, Patterson recorded many albums for Prestige during 1964-1969. Four CDs reissue some of his most rewarding dates. Legends of Acid Jazz contains a session that teams Patterson with the passionate tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin while Legends of Acid Jazz: Just Friends has the complete contents of a different date with Ervin and one with the soulful tenor playing of Houston Person.

Boppin’ & Burnin’ is a straight-ahead outing with trumpeter Howard McGhee, altoist Charles McPherson, guitarist Pat Martino, and Billy James that shows off Patterson’s “piano approach” to playing organ on such numbers as “Sandu” and “Red Top.” Dem New York Dues reissues most of the two LPs Funk You and Oh, Happy Day! from 1968-1969, featuring a quintet with trumpeter Virgil Jones and tenors George Coleman and Houston Person, and a set that was the only meeting on record by altoists Sonny Stitt and Charles McPherson.

Don Patterson worked in his later years with trombonist Al Grey before his 1988 death.

Booklet for Holiday Soul