Christmas with Our Favorite Jazz Duo

Snowflakes, hot chocolate, delicious treats... The spirit of Christmas is officially back in town. It's also the perfect time for countless servings of jazz. One of the holiday tunes that will surely jazz up your winter is the latest rendition of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by the hottest jazz duo around, Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams.

With their Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers charm and all-round merry personalities, this version sparkles like your finely decorated Christmas tree ;)

Happy holidays to you all! I will be away on a 2-week trip to France, Monaco and Spain, and I plan on catching up with my good friend and subscriber Carmina (on_the_ground) along the way. Jazz on the Rocks will reopen mid-January. Cheers! xo

"Baby, It's Cold Outside" (MUSIC VIDEO)

Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams

X Factor USA: Top 4 Recap (Closer to the $5 Million)

So we're down to the Top 4 on the X Factor USA, and the competition is drawing close to the grand finale. Each act really played to their strengths this time around, but this is a $5 million dollar recording contract, and X Factor is about international superstardom.

Regardless of what the judges have said, it's up to you the voters to decide which acts can break the *global* music market. Let's hope we've all voted right.

CARLY ROSE SONENCLAR - YOUR SONG

Category/Mentor: Teens/Britney Spears

TATE STEVENS - BONFIRE

Category/Mentor: The Over 25's/LA Reid

FIFTH HARMONY - IMPOSSIBLE

Category/Mentor: Groups/Simon Cowell

EMBLEM 3 - BABY, I LOVE YOUR WAY

Category/Mentor: Groups/Simon Cowell

The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Carrie's Music

Mysterious, twisty and noir-ish... That's the vibe you get the minute you witness Carrie Underwood's cinematic trailer for her January music video "Two Black Cadillacs".
Are you ready for a dark ride? :)

Also, congrats to her on winning the most important role of her life - Maria von Trapp on the upcoming NBC live broadcast of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic The Sound of Music (no, it's not a movie remake, as you know it)!

For those who doubt her, no need to be. Carrie has been one of those music artists with a respectable acting resume, as demonstrated by her heartfelt, inspiring role on the critically acclaimed film Soul Surfer.

Given her down-to-earth persona and ability to sail in-between genres, I trust that she will bring her natural charisma to the iconic character that was popularized by the notable Dame Julie Andrews.

Proof:

X Factor USA: Top 6 Recap

With double performances from each of the Top 6 acts last night, we got to see them live unplugged and also hear the songs we've voted for them to sing on the X Factor USA website. Here are some highlights from the top contenders! It will be disheartening that one or two of them may probably leave tonight due to the votes, though they're bound to have a bright career after the competition is over. Who will make it to the semi-finals?

FIFTH HARMONY - GIVE YOUR HEART A BREAK

Category/Mentor: Groups/Simon Cowell

DIAMOND WHITE - DIAMONDS
Category/Mentor: Teens/Britney Spears

CECE FREY - EDGE OF GLORY
Category/Mentor: Young Adults/Demi Lovato

CARLY ROSE SONENCLAR - AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME
Category/Mentor: Teens/Britney Spears