In the mid '90's we began our recording career as the North Star Jazz Ensemble playing classics from the 'Great American Songbook'. As we looked to branch out, we assumed the 'CommonGround' identity to create an instrumental tribute to James Taylor called 'Fire & Rain' with guitarist Peter Calo which was a best-seller for the label.

As North Star started planning for the Holiday season we resolved to make a Christmas album with Peter who's wife, Marianne, was expecting their first child.

Peter was touring off and on with Carly Simon at the time and left for a series of dates with Carly in Puerto Rico the week before our sessions were scheduled.  Marianne, eight months pregnant at the time, went along for a last trip before the baby was due.  The baby, however, had other plans and Fiona Calo was born in Puerto Rico with Carly and the band in the waiting room.

Twenty-four hours later the Calo family was home in New York.  A week later Fiona celebrated her one-week birthday at Lakewest Recording with her mom, while dad laid down the guitar tracks of our first Christmas release 'Do You Hear What I Hear'. That blessed event provided inspiration for the project, and for me at least, it still comes through in all the tracks.  It's a favorite to this day.

Check it out , along with our North Star Jazz Christmas collection with the Hawthorne String Quartet 'Mistletoe Sax' at our online store.