Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
When you were a kid, what’s one Christmas tradition that your family did every year? Most of us can recall back to our childhood and name a few things. And no matter what your traditions, it is the music of the season that helps bring them all together.
Whether you have a favorite Christmas album, artist, or song, we are all familiar with the standard classics. And with so many disruptions, changes, and challenges posed by Covid-19, most of us are embracing a little more closely the comfort and nostalgia that Christmastime brings. It’s in that spirit that local musician Jake Pilewski decided to harness some light in an otherwise bleak year and record a Christmas EP. Jake and I had a chance to chat about his EP and journey as a musician.
Jake’s Music Journey
If you’ve been to the Durty Bird, Blarney, Levi & Lilac’s, Cinco de Mayo in Rossford, Plat8, Fuzzy Taco, or Village Idiot to name just a few, chances are you may have been lucky enough to see Jake tickling the ivories and belting out some amazing vocals. Jake’s interest in music began at the age of ten when his sister had a keyboard given to her by their folks. Jake would dabble on it, learning by ear college fight songs and the entrance music of his favorite pro-wrestlers. Getting his start in a barbershop quartet, Jake has been in no fewer than 6 bands, covering a diverse range of genres with three of those bands still existing; Day Drinkers, New Fashioned and 9 Lives.
Jake’s Music Journey NOW
Like the rest of us, Jake has learned to navigate in this “new normal.” He’s leaned on his retail job, has an independent graphic/social media business Reel JP, and started picking up some paying gigs. Particularly, Jake speaks fondly of Cinco de Mayo in Rossford. They have provided him a place to perform consistently for the public again. In true Jake fashion, he has asked several fellow musicians to accompany playing alongside him on some of these nights. That rotation of talent is one of the true benefits of going to see Jake play a set. You’ll never quite get the same experience twice. Jake has a way of bringing people together.
Jake’s Christmas EP
In addition to all the bands, side jobs, and activities, Jake has previously recorded an album of his own music under Jake & The Venom titled Between Then & When (available for download on streaming platforms). As Jake puts it, “Jake & The Venom always kind of had an approach that it was always more somber and even though I’m a stickler for somber music, 2020 has been dark enough as it is.” With that said, the song he had his sights on to do a recording of was the Francis Schubert version of Ave Maria sung by the likes of Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Pocelli. It’s this connection and love for classical music and wanting to exercise his classical singing chops again, that Jake decided now would be a good time to record his version.
As Jakes explains, “I thought it would be a nice tribute to Christmas traditions in general even though it’s not really a Christmas song. But if you listen to the words, it’s a combination of the prayer of the Hail Mary and it’s also about somebody on their deathbed talking to God and Mary. It’s a very real kind of thing happening in 2020 with people losing loved ones and I thought it would be a nice way to take something so classical and powerful that even if you’re not a religious person, a lot of people can hear that and say, “Wow, I can get on board with this” even if for the season.” Inspired by the completion of his Ave Maria recording, Jake had the time in his studio and decided to do a full EP recording of true traditional Christmas songs.
I’ve listened to the EP a few times now which is available on all streaming platforms. The result is what Jake said he set out to do- the EP is soothing, beautiful, and classically traditional. But, in true Jake fashion, while he is delivering the familiar, once again, just like his live performances, Jake gives you an experience you’ve never seen from him before. The first time I listened to it, I couldn’t help but think how the range of Jake’s talents is that of the likes of Freddie Mercury. When you can switch from singing music that can rock with the best of them and then turn around and sing classical with tempered beauty is a gift.
I don’t think it’s accidental that Jake’s first group was called Evolution. It’s been fun to watch Jake evolve and continue to push the envelope and create amazing music. Aside from streaming Jake’s Christmas EP, you can also see a recording of Ave Maria on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HMQmxAbCFQU Additionally, you can follow Jake on Facebook at Reel JP: https://www.facebook.com/ReelJPMultimedia to catch where and when his upcoming gigs will be. This year has truly spotlighted the fact that it’s the creatives that truly give our soul the sustenance we need to hang onto the good. So have yourself a Merry little Christmas no matter how you celebrate this year and enjoy the music.
