In this lesson, we’re embracing the Yuletide season with an arrangement of the great Christmas carol In the Bleak Midwinter. The words are by the poet Christina Russell and the original music was composed by Gustav Holst – the composer of the Planets Suite. Holst has been a massive influence on classical and film composers.
I decided to reharmonize the melody for a more personal and contemporary jazz blues sound. While my version has some advanced harmonic moves, I left enough room for the blues-based phrasing in the improvisation.
