December 2005

Gap Mangione
Family Holidays
Josh Music

By Tad Hendrickson

After performing together in the '60s, Chuck Mangione's piano-playing older brother stayed in Rochester, N.Y., while his flugelhornist sibling went on to fame. This 17-piece big-band effort is a well-drilled affair, with some reasonably lengthy turns for the soloist. All in all, a professional effort that includes a few lesser-known tunes like "Carol of the Bells," "Christmas Waltz" and "Tarantellas."