Holly Yarbrough - Mister Rogers Swings!: Holly Yarbrough Sings the Fred Rogers Songbook (2008)

The late Fred Rogers produced, wrote, and hosted the public television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood from 1968 to 2001 and a key ingredient in targeting young children with his upbeat educational message was music (usually jazz), singing his own words and music with the assistance of veteran pianist and music director Johnny Costa and a number of other musicians. Vocalist Holly Yarbrough, together with the help of a number of Tennessee-based jazz musicians, explores 16 of Rogers' many compositions, and includes special guest saxophonist Boots Randolph (on one of his final recordings). The atmosphere is friendly and swinging with a good number of instrumental breaks, with Yarbrough's appealing vocals, a fine rhythm section (including pianist Lori Mechem, guitarist Richard Smith, bassist Roger Spencer, and drummer Chris Brown), and potent, brief solos by Randolph, trombonist Roy Agee, and trumpeter George Tidwell. Anyone who wants to expose their children, grandchildren, or students to very accessible (without being bland) swinging jazz with lyrics that have a message instead of empty banalities ought to investigate Mister Rogers Swings.