A year after dropping one of the most engaging, spirit-filled and rhythmically diverse Smooth Jazz holiday albums of 2024 with the cleverly titled A VERY GARY CHRISTMAS, saxophonist Gary Meggs adds to his splendid holiday playlist with a fresh, tenderly hypnotic an ultimately funky and festive rendition of the perennial “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The veteran musician and educator, who is currently a sax instructor at Henderson State University, starts in atmospheric ballad mode, then quickly peps up the groove for a high-octane performance marked by colorful improvisation, exciting horn textures and a sparkly piano solo.