by Scott Yanow
Pianist Gregg Karukas, in a trio with bassist John Leftwich and drummer Joel Taylor, mostly plays straightahead jazz (rather than his usual crossover) on this Christmas set. Singer Shelly Flint has a few vocals which range from an exciting scat-filled &Winter Wonderland& to a some folk-oriented originals that are of lesser interest. But Karukas's strong playing on such numbers as &Oh Tannenbaum,& &The Christmas Song& and &Jingle Bells& makes this CD one worth getting.