Can't Wait For Christmas

Joe Crumrine and bandleader Casey Doremus met while attending Illinois Central College. The two sang in the Vocal Jazz Blue group at the time. At the end of their freshman year Casey leaned over to Joe and said you want to start a big band? Bringing young talent out of central Illinois the band Joe Crumrine and the Original Skazz Band was formed. Their focus was the classics. Bringing you the big band charts that everyone knew to entertain. The word skazz came from Casey's old band that he ran called Jake Norris and the Caution Boys. They played a form of music known as Ska. When Jazz and Ska met they came up with the name Skazz, and now you can hear it for yourself. The first album! 'Christmas Lights' is an instrumental that envisions the true spirit of the night life of Christmas. The simplicity of the melody represents a child driving around the winter wonderland watching all the houses twinkle and shine. As the song builds you can see the excitement build as Christmas gets closer and closer. This song includes trumpet and trombone soli's. A repeated trombone solo by lead trombonist Cody Laing and a tenor solo by the Skazz Band's woodwind specialist Jeff Arbisi. 'Good King Wenceslas' is one you have heard sung by you madrigals group at school, but have you heard a big band crooner sing it? In the year of 2011 Joe Crumrine mentioned to band leader Casey Doremus 'That would be a very interesting challenge.' Well here it is, and for you to enjoy! The piece includes a vibraphone solo by Taylor Pillischafske at the beginning as well as another one right before the woodwind soli. 'I Can't Wait For Christmas (With You)' is the result of a procrastinating student who was suppose to be studying for a test, but in turn could only think of how much he can't wait for Christmas. Being away at school can be a grueling and missing the one you love is even harder. This song is exactly what Casey Doremus was feeling when he wrote it. Homesick and lovesick just waiting for the Christmas break to come so you can spend the holidays with the one you love. This chart has a saxophone solo by Jeff Arbisi done on a C-melody saxophone. 'Jingle Bells' is a staple in the Christmas music books. The Original Skazz Band wanted to make their own version of this great Christmas carol for everyone to enjoy. A high energy swing that never let's up accompanied with the warming vocals of Joe Crumrine. This song features Cody Laing on a trombone solo, and woodwind specialist Jeff Arbisi. 'Santa Played the Bari is an instant Christmas classic' - Elyse Nicholson of the Washington Currier. That was one review of it when the song was debuted in December of 2011. The song features the Bari duet of Garrett Meeks and Jeff Arbisi. The two trade solos and produce an outstanding amount of power only possible by the Original Skazz Bands ridiculous Baritone Saxophone obsession. The brass ventures out into another one of the bands obsessions a plunger chorus, and in the middle of all this crazy swing crooner Joe Crumrine performs a good old fashion scat solo. 'Waltz Of The Bellringer' When band leader Casey Doremus was a child he was blessed with a grandfather who showed him lots of things that molded him into who he is today. One of the things that his grandfather brought to his life was the musical influence of Spike Jones and the City Slickers. This piece features a Spike Jones' like comical tone with band comedian Victor Griffith providing the voice of the bell ringer. This song is destined to bring a new light upon the holiday Santa's and charity ringers that you see throughout the holidays. The band's first waltz consists of a heavy bass line played by Lucas Doremus on electric bass and also doubled by the Skazz Band's Bari player Garrett Meeks. This song is dedicated in the loving memory of Charles Murdoch. 'Hot Chocolate' Is that from the polar express? No! This isn't your heart warming Christmas song. This isn't a song about believing in some fairytale. This is The Original Skazz Band's Christmas funk chat! A phat bass line mixed with the exciting vocals prod