Over the next three weeks, I am so pleased that William Price King will be a sharing a selection of Christmas music to get us into the festive spirit.
“In the Bleak Midwinter” is based on a poem by the English poet Christina Rossetti which was first set to music in The English Hymnal in 1906 by Gustav Holst. In 1911 Harold Drake wrote another version of this hymn which became a popular Christmas carol, mostly preferred by choir masters and choral experts. Sung here by the Choir of Kings College.
“Ding! Dong! Merrily on High” The Portland Ensign Choir and Orchestra perform this exciting Christmas Carol, arranged by Mack Wilberg. This song first appeared as a secular dance tune, “Branle”, from the dance book Orchésographie, written by Jehan Tabourot. The lyrics are from the English composer George Ratcliff Woodward and the carol was first published in 1924.
William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.
His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.
While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.
His debut jazz album was entitled “Home,” and was a collection of contemporary compositions he composed, with lyrics written by his wife Jeanne King. His second album was a Duo (Voice and Guitar) with Eric Sempé on the guitar. This album included original songs as well as well known standards from contemporary jazz and pop artists. The “King-Sempé” duo toured France and thrilled audiences for more than three years before going their separate ways. King has formed a new duo with French/Greek guitarist Manolis, and is now exploring new ideas, in a smooth jazz/soul/folk direction.
In addition to singing and composing, King has been collaborating with author Sally Cronin over the past few years on her blog “Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life,” with the series “A Man And His Music – Jazz, Contemporary, Classical, and Legends” and now, the “William Price King Music Column.” Working with author Sally Cronin has been an exhilarating experience in many ways and has brought a new dimension to King’s creative life. King has also created a micro blog, “Improvisation,” which features and introduces mostly jazz artists from across the jazz spectrum who have made considerable contributions in the world of jazz; and also artwork from painters who have made their mark in the world of art. This micro blog can be found on Tumblr.
His vocal mentors are two of the greatest giants in jazz, Nat King Cole and Mel Tormé. King has a distinctive wide-ranging voice which displays a remarkable technical facility and emotional depth.
William Price King on Tumblr – IMPROVISATION – https://williampriceking.tumblr.com
Buy William’s music ITunes: William Price iTunes
Connect with William
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/WilliamPriceKing
Twitter – https://twitter.com/wpkofficial
Regular Venue – http://cave-wilson.com/
You can find all of the Music Column series in this directory: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/william-price-king-music-column/
Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you have enjoyed the music…thanks William and Sally.
He as picked two of the best! I’m always surprised or disappointed at how few people are familiar with In the Bleak Midwinter. It is such a beautiful piece of music. Thank you, William and Sally!
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Thanks Jennie it is a lovely piece of music and I have heard live in a cathedral with amazing acoustics and the harmonies sound extraordinary in that setting.. have a lovely weekend..hugsx
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Lucky us!! Happy weekend to to, Sally. 🙂
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How lucky we are to have William visit us here through the holidays. I’m not familiar with the first song but I thoroughly enjoyed Ding Dong, so festive. Thank you. ❤
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Thanks Debby.. I have it playing in the background as I work…lovely.. ♥
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❤
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Thank you very much, Debby. Christmas music really helps to make the Holiday season festive and it’s what I prefer the most, this time of the year. So glad to hear from you. Hugs
William
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Thanks William. And we are glad to have you here to celebrate with us ❤
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Thank you so much, Debby. Big hugs.
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Thanks for sharing these. Really needed this music on this particular morning!
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The pleasure is ours, to be able to share these Carols with you. So glad that you enjoyed them. All the best to you.
William
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Glad you enjoyed Barbara Ann..hugsx
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Sometimes (like now!), I just marvel at what the human voice can do, the beauty it can create.
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Stunning…xx
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So do I, Liz. Thanks for commenting and enjoying our post. All the best.
William
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🙂
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I love both of them so much. Thank you so much. Toni x
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Thank you very much, Toni. Wishing you a very happy Holiday Season. Take care.
William
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Thanks Toni..hugsx
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Fabulous! There is so much great music to be shared and you two do a wonderful job! Thank you so much.
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Thank you Annette… delighted you enjoyed.. ♥♥
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Thank you very much, Annette. I am so happy that are you enjoying our Carols. All the best to you. Hugs
William
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Wonderful music, i adore. Thank you for sharing! Best wishes, Michael
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Lovely Michael thank you.. hugs
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Thank you very much, Michael. So glad that you are enjoying. All the best to you. Take care.
William
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Thank you very much, for the wonderful music. Enjoy it very much. Best wishes to you too. Michael
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