Jorge Ben Big Ben

A rhetorical question: what makes a great Christmas album? We know all or most of the chestnuts, both commercial and religious. The Drummer Boy flams, someone's dreaming white, and another will be home in their dreams. The annual marathon Yuletide programs rely heavily on the tried and true with an occasional novelty thrown in. Classical purists hit up the legit pantheon. With this album, a capella vocal group, Accent adds a Who's Who of world-class arrangers (Jorge Calandrelli, Nan Schwartz, Elliot Deutsch and including group members James Rose and Simon Åkesson), celebrated musicians (including Arturo Sandoval), and takes the obligatory jazz Holiday album to an invitingly unique level the appeal of which is infectious.

Saxophonist and composer, Roberto Nieva, was born in Ávila, Spain. From an early age, he showed great interest in music. He always worried about his musical technique which led him to study at the Professional Conservatory of Music in his hometown. Years later, he moved to San Sebastian to complete his studies at the Higher Music Center of the Basque Country, Musikene. Outside of the academic framework, he has been able to study and receive master classes from musicians such as Branford Marsalis, Miguel Zenón, Loren Stillman, Roman Filiu or Bob Mintzer.