The Caliban Quartet of Bassoonists has been praised by critics around the world for its brilliant playing, inventive programming, and sunny good humour. Who better to lead you through a varied collection of sparkling Christmas music? Their new CD “Caliban Does Christmas” includes everything from comedy to swing to gorgeous ballads and choral music. For this CD, the Quartet is joined by five different singers, two drummers and even a partridge in a pear tree. The queen of vocal comedy herself, soprano Mary Lou Fallis, sings four tunes including a goofy 1957 hit, “Too Fat for the Chimney” and Fred Silver’s hilarious “The 12 Days After Christmas.” Two of Canada’s finest jazz singers are on board for tunes like “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and the beautiful “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”; Bonnie Brett is a frequent guest of Toronto’s finest jazz clubs and Heather Bambrick is a brilliant up-and-comer who was named Jazz Vocalist of the Year at the 2004 National Jazz Awards.. Georgian music expert Alan Gasser joins in for a bracing rendition of a traditional Georgian Christmas tune.