David Ian was born in Toronto, Canada to Armenian immigrant parents, came early to music, beginning in classical piano when he was five, with just a few years later knowing that this was his life's calling. He performed in a number of garage bands throughout his school years, and after graduating from college he became the lead guitarist in the acclaimed band Church of Rhythm, the group that eventually morphed into the even more successful and GRAMMY-nominated rock group Superchick.
But Ian wasn't just a rock star. He began his love with jazz in his early teens. He studied jazz piano with noted teacher Pat Pace and joined with fellow students to help initiate the jazz lab curriculum at his high school in Akron, Ohio. When he conceived the idea of recording these Christmas records, he drew inspiration from two legendary jazz pianists. "I tried to capture some of the essence of the gorgeous voicing and phrasing of Bill Evans in his interpretations of ballads, as well as the festive approach of Vince Guaraldi, particularly his injection of the blues."
While dozens of Christmas albums are released each year, the most evocative ones are often those made by jazz musicians. This should come as no surprise since the emotional primacy in the best jazz music echoes the spirituality inherent in the best Christmas songs. Jazz and Yuletide music have a long and complementary history, from Chet Baker's Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas to Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas to Wynton Marsalis' Crescent City Christmas Card.
Taking proud place in this music lineage is David Ian Vintage Christmas and Vintage Christmas Wonderland, which breathes new life into a set of familiar Christmas classics in relaxed, swinging arrangements that capture the spirit of the season while respecting the sanctity of the material. Take one listen and you're guaranteed to have yourself a swinging little Christmas.
