Elisha "Atlas" Parris

If you are not familiar with Elisha Atlas Parris and his music, then you are truly missing out. I must admit that I actually stumbled upon Elisha's music a few weeks ago on Facebook and was absolutely blown away by the type of crossover jazz music he is doing. Luckily for me, I was introduced to his music just in time for his latest CD called "The Christmas Album."

I want to say Elisha is a jazz musician but he is so much more than that. Not only is his music fit for a neo-soul crossover, he also writes and produces his own music.

So delving into his holiday CD some more, I am enthralled by the tracks that are coming at me. Elisha has been going at it since 2010 as a performer but has worked behind the scenes for other musicians at his Parriscope Records agency longer than that. For someone this new in the industry it is quite easy to fall in the pitfalls of making music that sounds like other tracks on the market. But not Elisha; he seems to be musically blazing his own trail and I gotta say I'm digging it.

This CD is by no means your grandmother's holiday album. It's fun, funky, feel-good, happy-go-lucky, the very things that add to the festive season.

"The Christmas Album" is truly a fun-filled holiday ride with all your favorite holiday songs in tow with an overflow of magical moments.

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" is the introduction to this CD, a quality track that falls in the soul-jazz category. It features impressive vocals by Kendra Cash and Kia Nicole against a soulful strut with militant drumwork seeping in and out.

"A Spoken Christmas" features Lyrical Trinitee and as its name implies it is a spoken word track about seeing a loved one for the holidays. Lyrical paints a vivid picture of making snow angels with her love while inhaling his cologne and about kissing under the mistletoe.

"When Was Jesus Born" has a bit of rag-time meets full gospel church. You will definitely be clapping and swaying to this one.

Later, Kiaya Cash's vocals is the perfect additive to the well-known "Favorite Things". The music starts off light and airy and swells into a really sophisticated melody that leads into a series of chord progressions that dips and flutters.

The Jingle Bells which features Clay Benjamin on guitar is brimming with sweet, sunshiny and flavorful synths while there is an interesting twist on "Drummer Boy."

Hear Elisha's daughter Zoe on "Silent Night" which begins with an acapella version of the song that eventually fades to make way for an organ-filled solo which is a tender and sweet interlude.

The CD's closer is "Christmas in Florida" and if you close your eyes and listen to it, you may just be transported to how Christmas is done in the sunny state. You get a glimpse of a snow-less Christmas where Floridians are dressed in shorts and tees hanging on the beach; there is still Eggnog, candied yams and baked turkey to be enjoyed in this all-out holiday house party jam. - Asha Brodie Jazz

A full house at the House of Jazz for @elishaparris! #jaxjazzfest? - Jax Jazz Fest

"This is a multi-talented brother who has collection of many places he has ministered to..."

Writer: Talundria Prince - NToU Magazine Nov. 2007

"A very strong project. I always enjoy (Elisha's) work." - Major Label Exec & Stellar Nominated Artist

"This recording deserves national attention." - of the Steller Award Winning Allen & Allen

Elisha "Atlas" Parris is a Jacksonville-based urban jazz pianist. He plays regularly at Poppy Love Smoke, Mark's Downtown, Brother's Cafe, The Crab Cake Factory and Cuba Libre. At 10 tonight, he'll perform with A'JaZE at Poppy Love Smoke, 112 E. Adams St.

5 inspiring musicians I'd love to record with

1. Joe Sample: He's jazz, but still listener friendly. Jazz can sometimes be so melodically and rhythmically complex that we lose the listener. But Joe never loses the listener. His approach to jazz always brings people to where he is; his playing never offends the listener's musical intelligence.

2. Herbie Hancock: He's not afraid to experiment. He went from straight-ahead acoustic jazz with Miles Davis back in the 1960s to more experimental electric music back in the 1970s. To this day, he refuses to be put in a box. At 60 years old, he's always pushing the musical envelope.

3. Lala Hathaway: When she sings, you sense it's the truth. She's not singing for the sake of being entertaining - but you're entertained because she's a vocal beast. Her lyrics and vocal tone are all about truth.

4. John Mayer: I just like him. I really like the dude. He's socially inept, but he's a musical genius. ... I love it!

5. Raphael Saadiq: I like Raphael because of his unassuming genius. This cat's music is simply profound and profoundly simple. I mean, he says to commercial and music critics' ears, "Nice!" That's hard to pull off. - Heather LoveJoy

Video - Jennifer Kessenger

Elisha “Atlas” Parris has been an award winning composer and pianist for more than 20 years. Performing alongside top names in Gospel, Jazz, R&B, Soul, and even Rock and Hip Hop shows his versatility and unique mastery of his craft! Certainly no stranger to the jazz community, Elisha was the lead keyboardist and producer for the popular 90’s jazz band SEGUE, with their chart-topping release Tell Ya N A Second (2000). Both prior to and since that time, Elisha’s creative and distinctive style of keyboard performance in all 12 keys, as well as his ability to make any song “his own” has made him a much sought-after and highly respected pianist by all ages in all genres of the music industry. - See more at: http://www.jacksonvillejazzsociety.org/jacksonville_jazz_artists/#sthash.Lt706hAH.dpuf - Jacksonville Jazz Society