Ryan Middagh presents A Merry Bari Christmas: a celebration of Christmastime, the jazz family that is the big band, and the baritone saxophone – out October 30, 2026 via EarUp
For so many, the Christmas season is a time of eager anticipation, exuberant hopefulness, and joyful celebration, as composer-bandleader-saxophonist Ryan Middagh can aptly attest. “As soon as November 1 arrives, the Christmas tree is up, and we begin making memories together,” Middagh reflects. From family traditions to cultural unity, a universal experience with this season appears to be that it is over far too quickly. Amidst these fleeting moments, Middagh was inspired to create A Merry Bari Christmas, a manner to celebrate and capture some of the magic, using the distinct mediums of the big band, and the baritone saxophone. Featuring original genre-blending arrangements, showcases of five icons of the baritone saxophone, and the rollicking jazz family that is the big band, A Merry Bari Christmas is Middagh’s highly original offering to this most wonderful time, out October 30, 2026 via EarUp.
Inspired by Middagh’s family’s love for the holiday season, A Merry Bari Christmas uses the big band’s natural camaraderie to parallel the familial bonds which are fostered during this time. From the shared hours of rehearsals to the exhilarating victories of the bandstand, the big band is, in many ways, the family reunion of jazz. For Middagh, this made it the perfect vehicle to transport listeners on his journey through the season.
Without doubt, the album does exactly what its title suggests: it makes merry and has a lot of bari as it celebrates Christmas and the music thereof. By blending the classic big band tradition with the sounds that have always inspired him, Middagh crafted a Christmas album that sounds simultaneously nostalgic and fresh, while highlighting the baritone saxophone in a unique way. Throughout the album, listeners encounter the baritone saxophone put on display in different ways, used in various contexts, and played by five heavy hitters: Jeff Coffin, Michael Dease, Mark Douthit, Jimmy Bowland, and the bandleader himself, Ryan Middagh. From solos and solis to counterpoint and textures, Middagh masterfully orchestrates the album to celebrate “both a cherished season and an instrument that deserves a little extra time in the spotlight.”
When posed with the question of, “How does one bring something new to songs everyone knows?” Middagh met the challenge head-on, striking a balance between the beloved familiar and enjoyably unexpected. With all except one track being arrangements of songs already long known by listeners, the great testament to Middagh’s skill as an arranger is that each piece takes on its own unique identity as ears hear afresh songs listeners thought they knew.
The album opens with “If I Were Giant Jiggle Bells,” a tripartite ode to “Jingle Bells”, “Giant Steps”, and “If I Were A Bell”. From the first notes, the track unequivocally informs listeners that this is not a traditional Christmas record. Featuring solos from Pat Coil (piano) and Jeff Coffin (baritone sax), this arrangement is filled with twists and turns sure to keep listeners on their toes. “Jeanette Isabelle” is another arranger’s playground. The piece is tastefully woven throughout with quirky phrasing, contrapuntal writing, and subtle twists that keep the track fresh while allowing the melody to continually shine. The arrangement, which features vocalist Vinéecia Buchanan (also appearing on two other tracks), unfolds naturally as the song tells a story in its progression.
“Not So Silent Night” begins with a pensive piano prelude before the band launches into a full-throttle rendition of the beloved hymnal standard. Tastefully transitioning from tender serenity – prominently displayed in Emmanuel Echem‘s trumpet solo – to jubilant excitement – evident in trombonists Michael Dease and Jonathan Salcedo trading ideas – Middagh’s arrangement captures the array of emotion which often accompanies the Christmas season. “Santa Digs Me” is the album’s only original composition, written by Jeff Coffin and Chris Walters, and arranged by Middagh for this record. Featuring Walters on vocals and a triple baritone saxophone exchange between Coffin, Middagh, and Dease, “Santa Digs Me” is one of the most playful and joyous tracks on the album.
The album concludes with what is effectively the title track, “Have Yourself a Merry Bari Christmas,” and holds a deep emotional significance for Middagh. During the summer leading up to the recording sessions for the album, Middagh began experiencing musician’s dystonia in his embouchure, a neurological disorder which causes involuntary muscle contractions. “Thanks to significant adjustments to my equipment, incredible support from Yamaha and JodyJazz, world-class neuro-movement care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and a slow, methodical return to playing, I have been able to continue performing and complete this project,” Middagh says. What once could have appeared to be a career-ending sentence has since become a milestone and triumph. While the experience changed aspects of Middagh’s approach and sound, it also instilled him with a renewed joy and appreciation for making music, which is why he wanted the final track to begin with a solo baritone saxophone opening. “There’s a vulnerability and sincerity in that opening that feels deeply personal,” Middagh says. “After an album filled with friends, family, celebration, and joy, it felt fitting to end with a simple musical message from the heart.”
The personnel present on A Merry Bari Christmas are not simply studio musicians but were hand-picked. As Middagh wrote each score, he wrote it with these specific musicians in mind, knowing this was the ensemble best suited to bring his work to life. The album features: Vinéecia Buchanan and Chris Walters (Vocals); Mark Douthit (Alto and Baritone Saxophones); Jovan Quallo (Alto Saxophone); Jeff Coffin and Jimmy Bowland (Tenor and Baritone Saxophones); Ryan Middagh and Michael Dease (Baritone Saxophone); Steve Patrick, Tyler Jaeger, Jeff Bailey, Emmanuel Echem, Jose Sibaja, and Olivia Achcet (Trumpet); Jonathan Salcedo, Michael Dease, and Barry Green (Trombone); Matt Jefferson (Bass Trombone); Pat Coil and Steve Kummer (Piano); Brian Allen (Bass); Jordan Perlson and Marc Widenhofer (Drum Set); and Glenn Caruba (Congas).
With A Merry Bari Christmas, Middagh has created a work that is enlivening yet sincere, filled with family, emotion, and depths of creativity. As with the concluding track of the album, Middagh states, “My sincere wish for listeners to experience the warmth, wonder, and joy of the season. From the bottom of my heart, I wish you all a Merry (Bari) Christmas.”
A Merry Bari Christmas releases October 30, 2026 via Ear Up.