Alfred Burt

Alfred Shaddick Burt (April 22, 1920 – February 7, 1954) was an American jazz musician who is best known for composing the music for fifteen Christmas carols between 1942 and 1954.

A tradition that the elder Burt had begun prior to moving to Pontiac in 1922, was the creation of a Christmas card, which he sent to family members and parishioners.

During World War II, Burt served as an officer in the United States Army, stationed at San Angelo, Texas.

Finally earning his discharge in early 1946, he formed a short-lived band; after the group disbanded, he and Anne returned to Michigan to spend time with his father.

While she was pregnant, Anne, in consultation with Alfred, asked an old family friend, Wihla Hutson (1901–2002), the organist at Rev.

Bates Burt's church, to write the lyrics for the annual Christmas card, which Alfred then would set to music.

Burt continued his professional career as an arranger and musician for bands such as Hal Richards, Horace Heidt and Alvino Rey.

James Conkling, husband of Donna King Conkling, and, at that time, the president of Columbia Records, was informed of Burt's failing health and organized the project, assembling an all-star choir of Hollywood singers to perform Burt's four-part harmonies.

Recording sessions for the older carols took place in late 1953 in the North Hollywood LDS Church with Burt present to conduct from his wheelchair.

The artwork and printing of the card was donated by Columbia Records with a staff photographer providing the photo of the little girl looking at a Christmas ornament.

Twelve of Burt's carols were released in time for the holiday season of 1954 on a 10-inch vinyl album called The Christmas Mood (Columbia CL 6336).

The Christmas Mood was recorded by The Columbia Choir under the direction of Grafton (Bud) Linn at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal church, on Coldwater Canyon Avenue in Studio City, California, of which Alfred was assistant choir director and both he and his wife were members.

In 1955, the original 10-inch LP was reissued with a new catalog number (CL 2546) as part of Columbia's short-lived "House Party Series", which was designed to keep the 10-inch album alive, even as most labels released most of their new LPs on 12-inch discs.

In 1957, the album was reissued once again, this time on a 12-inch LP as CL 1051, including an instrumental brass ensemble, a medley of the carols arranged and conducted by Ralph Carmichael.

The unusual 8-part vocal harmony arrangements were written by Alfred's lifelong friend, Brinley Bethel.

In 2001, Burt's grandniece, the composer Abbie Betinis, revived the family tradition of sending Christmas cards with an original carol each holiday season, which she also introduces each year on Minnesota Public Radio.