The DePue Brothers Band's unique holiday repertoire is an eclectic mix of musical genres from bluegrass to funk, jazz, rock and more. Released in early December, 2013, the CD was played on Sirius radio and nearly 100 radio stations throughout the USA with the hope of even more in 2014.
Made up of virtuoso musicians, the members of the DePue Brothers Band are the four brothers -- Wallace Jr., Alex, Jason and Zach -- who are all classically trained violinists and perform with the most prestigious musical organizations including The Philadelphia Orchestra and The Indianapolis Symphony. In addition, the band includes percussionist Don Liuzzi, who is principal timpanist of The Philadelphia Orchestra, national flatpicker guitarist Mark Cosgrove, bassist Kevin MacConnell and Mike Munford, who was named International Bluegrass Association's the 2013 Banjo Musician of the Year. The brothers' individual musical endeavors continue -- Zach with The Indianapolis Symphony as concertmaster and with Time for Three; Jason with The Philadelphia Orchestra; Alex with his solo endeavors and with DePue/DeHoyos; and Wallace with his company, Concert Instruments.com, and guest appearances including his occasional role of concert master of The Philly POPS. While the band performs nationwide, this is the first year they are taking their holiday show throughout the country to Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, New York and PA.
"When It's Christmas Time" is a mix of standard arrangements from the brothers' youth including Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and the heavenly Ave Maria, with new arrangements by Alex DePue of Good King Wencelas, Winter Wonderland and the DePue original song, The Fat Man. One of the album highlights is Jason DePue's brilliant arrangement of the pop classic Sleigh Ride with his unique musical gestures. The CD includes the many contributions of equally talented additional band members including Don Liuzzi's exotic Pat-a-Pan and the serene O Holy Night, Kevin MacConnell's elegant jazz arrangement of Christmas Song richly sung by Wallace DePue and Mike Munford's exquisite Medley of Carols for banjo.
Band member/manager Don Liuzzi said recently, "When the DePue Brothers get together to play, they play to the height of their abilities. They play with utter abandon and joy. They play off one another and perhaps because they are brothers, they express with music far more than can be spoken with words. There is no musical group in the world like the DePue Brothers."
"When It's Christmas Time" is available on CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon.com, FYE stores and all the online stores affiliated with Tune Core. It can also be ordered directly at depuebrothersband.com for $20 including shipping. For more information about the DePue Brothers Band, visit their website at DePue Brothers Band.
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