Traditional and original Advent and Christmas carols

In 2005 Tom Atwood and Mystified – two songwriters who have never met – created The Noel Project, a global group of musicians linked by their online collaborations through www.macjams.com, a virtual music community. The Noel Project’s first CD, Splendor Bright, features new arrangements of ancient Advent and Christmas carols, some of which have fallen out of the holiday mainstream in recent years.

Tom Atwood blends acoustic folk and modern classical music, creating songs that are sometimes spiritual, sometimes political and always personal. Recently released his third solo CD, Songs from the American Plain.

Mystified, a classically trained singer, Mystified is the featured vocalist on nine songs on Splendor Bright. She also composed an original carol for the CD (Holy Child, Blessed One), and is working on her first solo CD.

Johannes Cori Ander, the Swedish guitarist known also as “Curry” has written and arranged several of the tunes on Splendor Bright, including Northern Snow, an original composition for solo guitar.

Revolving Doris, a British alternative folk duo consisting of playwright and musician Rebsie Fairholm and journalist and instrumentalist William Shaw. Their first CD will be released in 2006.

Scotty Hill, a jazz trombonist based in New Orleans. Scotty Hill also composes and arranges classical music using computer software. CD’s include 2000’s Makin’ Market, by Scotty Hill’s French Market Jazz Band.