The Kenny Newborn Quartet’s “Mistletoe and Holly” returns to a familiar Christmas standard with a jazz arrangement that keeps things elegant and restrained. At just over two minutes, the recording doesn’t need much room to make its case. The quartet puts the melody first and gives the song a more intimate character than the usual seasonal production.
The group has built a small catalogue of Christmas recordings over the years, including “We Three Kings,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “That Christmas Feeling.” This new release continues that interest in seasonal material, with a style that favors measured phrasing and understated musicianship over grand gestures.
“Mistletoe and Holly” fits comfortably into the quartet’s approach to Christmas music. It offers a short, polished take on a familiar song, one that works as part of a quieter holiday playlist rather than demanding the spotlight.
