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Alfred Burt

Born: 1920. Died: 1954. Lived in: United States

Alfred Burt (born April 22, 1920) was an American jazz musician who composed fifteen now famous Christmas carols between 1942 and 1954. Burt studied music at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and served as an officer in the United States Army during World War II. After the war, he traveled to California, developing a career as trumpeter and arranger, and eventually joined the Alvino Rey Orchestra. His most famous carol, "Caroling Caroling", is often heard during the Christmas season, and many others have been recorded by dozens of artists. John Williams wrote two medleys of his works for the Boston Pops Orchestra. Burt wrote his carols for "publication" on the back of his Christmas cards each year. They are among the few modern carols to address serious spiritual themes. A heavy smoker, he died of lung cancer in 1954 at the age of 33. In 2003 Burt's niece, the composer Abbie Betinis, revived the traditional of sending Christmas cards with an original carol each holiday season.

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Displaying 1-3 of 3 items.


Alfred Burt / Columbia Choir : The Christmas Mood : 1 CD : 6 48264 42232 1 : 4223

Alfred Burt / Columbia Choir : The Christmas Mood

Alfred S. Burt died in February of 1954 at the age of 33, already a legend. The slender minister's son, the young jazz trumpeter who composed Christmas carols, was carrying on a tradition started in 1922 by his father, the Reverend Bates G. Burt, who began sending his own composed carols as Christmas messages to friends and family. Rev. Bates proudly saw his son take over music in 1941, while he supplied the lyrics. These are the only carols created in modern times that have obtained international acceptance in the music community, from local choirs to stars like Andy Williams, Peggy Lee, Nat "King" Cole, Frank Sinatra, The Lennon Sisters and many others have recorded Burt carols. So listen to these "mini-masterpieces," beautifully performed by the Columbia Choir with occasional light accompaniment by the Ralph Carmichael Brass Ensemble and organ. "Caroling, Caroling," "The Star Carol," "Christ in the Stranger's Guise," "Come Dear Children," "Some Children See Him," "All on a Christmas Morning," "O Hearken Ye." "Jesu Parvule," "Nigh Bethlehem," "This is Christmas," "Ah, Bleak and Chill" and "We'll Dress the House." At the end of the CD is a very nice instrumental medley of the carols. We have enjoyed these carols as particularly wonderful ones for years, never knowing the story of their gifted composer, now we see them with a new appreciation. Recommended!

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling, The Star Carol, Christ in the Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children, Some Children See Him, All on a Christmas Morning, O, Hearken Ye, Jesu Parvule, Nigh Bethlehem, This is Christmas, Ah, Bleak and Chill, We'll Dress the House, Instrumental medlies:, Caroling, Caroling, All on a Christmas Morning, We'll Dress the House, The Star Carol, Some Children See Him, Come, Dear Children, Ah, Bleak and Chill, Jesu Parvule, O, Hearken Ye

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6856c | 1 CD | $15.95 | Accompanied


Alfred Burt and Jimmy Joyce Singers : This Is Christmas : 1 CD : 6 48264 42222 2 : 4222

Alfred Burt and Jimmy Joyce Singers : This Is Christmas

Considered by some to be the finest recording of Christmas carols ever, these original compositions were written by Alfred and primary lyricists Wihla Hutson and Bates G. Burt (Alfred's father). In fact, the carols were initially sent as Christmas messages to Burt family members and friends! Alfred died in 1954 at the age of thirty three, but his legacy has brought joy to untold myriads of listeners ever since. Artists from Nat "King" Cole to the Boston Pops Orchestra and Chorus have popularized what conductor John Williams described as "mini-masterpieces." The sixteen voice a cappella choir directed by arranger Jimmy Joyce (who had worked with Alfred in the Alvino Rey Orchestra) is sprightly and surefooted in their performance, which was recorded in 1963. A sentimental and popular favorite.

Songlist: This Is Christmas, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Ah, Bleak And Chill The Wintry Wind, Come, Dear Children, Some Children See Him, Sleep, Baby Mine, All On A Christmas Morning, Caroling, Caroling, The Star Carol, We'll Dress The House, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Nigh Bethlehem, What Are The Signs, Jesu Parvule, O Hearken Ye

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6896c | 1 CD | $15.95 | A Cappella | Companion Songbook Available


Caroling Company : The Carols of Alfred S Burt : 1 CD :  6 48264 42242  : 4224

Caroling Company : The Carols of Alfred S Burt    onsale

Founded by Alfred Burt's daughter Diane, The Caroling Company makes everyday Christmas! This highly in-demand eight-voice a cappella ensemble has had numerous television appearances including ABC's "Good Morning America and "The Home Show" and will appear later this year in the Brian Setzer Big Band Christmas CD. With a reputation for excellence and creative arrangements of traditional favorites and jazz standards, they have an enthusiastic following and possess that indescribable quality that identifies them as The Carolling Company.

Songlist: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas / I'll Be HOme for Christmas (Medley), Carol of the Bells, Deck the Halls, The Holly and the Ivy, What Child Is This?, I Saw Three, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, O Holy Night, Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, White Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, Silver Bells, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Merry Christmas, Darling, Caroling, Caroling, We'll Dress the House, Some Children See Him, This Is Christmas, The Star Carol, Come, Dear Children, Jesu Parvule, O Hearken Ye, Silent Night

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7002c | 1 CD | $14.95 ON SALE $4.95 | A Cappella

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