Favourites,
Have Yourself A Jazzy Little Christmas
So here it is... it's the inevitable list of jazzy Christmas recordings! As we all know, Christmas is often an excuse for excess (especially here in the UK), and let's be honest, a lowering of standards. Jazz christmas albums are often no exception. That's why this afternoon I've stifled my inner-Scrooge and listened through some of the selections currently out there, and in the process exposed myself to appalling versions of 'White Christmas' and 'Jingle Bells', but come up with a list of recordings that are actually rather good. If you think about it, Christmas songs are the last remaining popular standards, as everyone knows them, and so in the right hands they make rich source material for improvising. Hopefully I've found some of these here!
Christmas Jazz
Louis Armstrong (vocals), Perry Como (vocals), Bing Crosby (vocals), Woody Herman (soprano saxophone), Ella Fitzgerald (vocals), Peggy Lee (vocals), Dinah Washington (vocals), Nat King Cole (vocals), Judy Garland (vocals), Dean Martin (vocals), Louis Jordan (vocals), Billy Eckstine (vocals)
A compilation like this is a solid place to begin, presenting old favourites from the world of jazz including Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Woody Herman, Dinah Washington and many others. From 'Winter wonderland' to 'Zat you, Santa Claus', the wit, charm and musicianship of these great artists shines as brightly as ever!
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
![A Charlie Brown Christmas [Expanded]](https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiODUwODExMC4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MjAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE1Mzg2OTM1ODF9)
It might seem curious that one of the best-loved Christmas jazz albums should have originated from a kids cartoon show, but decades since its release Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas score has lost none of its original charm. Alongside swinging arrangements of classics like 'What Child Is This' and 'The Little Drummer Boy' it also includes sparkling originals like 'Christmas Is Coming' and the brilliant 'Skating' (even if you never watched the programme I bet you'll know the tune). Guaraldi’s trio, with bassist Fred Marshall and drummer Jerry Granelli, play with unfailing taste, making this ideal seasonal mood music for dinner parties.
Available Format: CD
A lightweight and enjoyable set of Christmas cheer, Ella Fitzgerald, backed by an orchestra conducted by Frank DeVol and an occasional vocal group are having a ball on jazzy versions of songs such as as 'Jingle Bells', 'Santa Claus Is Coming to Town', 'Winter Wonderland' and 'Frosty the Snowman'.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
Something of a contrast to the usual brash festive productions, A Dave Brubeck Christmas finds the artist alone at the piano, taking us through some thoroughly charming, and deeply felt interpretations of popular tunes. Brubeck gives a marvellously sensitive take on 'Joy to the World', and brings a moving solemnity to 'Away in a Manger', whilst also cutting loose on plenty of tracks, and revelling in his own improvisations in the joyous 'Jingle Bells'.
Available Format: CD
Four Classic Christmas Albums Plus (ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas / Christmas Carousel / Sings Christmas Songs / A Merry Christmas)
Ella Fitzgerald / Peggy Lee / Charles Brown / Stan Kenton
This is a terrific compilation, offers Peggy Lee's 1960 Christmas Carousel; the great unsung jazz and soul singer Charles Brown from 1961 Sings Christmas Songs; Big Band maestro Stan Kenton's smooth A Merry Christmas, Ella's album mentioned above, and as a bonus E.P. legendary hornman Sidney Bechet gets festive from 1958 Joue Noe.
Available Format: 2 CDs
While Basie passed away in 1984, his big band orchestra is kept alive in his spirit by alumni directors, in this case Scotty Barnhart. The album features pianist Ellis Marsalis and tenor saxophonist Plas Johnson, as well as singers Johnny Mathis, Ledisi, and the excellent Carmen Bradford. A Very Swingin' Basie Christmas offers a pleasant mix of up-tempo swinging sleigh bell tunes and slow winter ballads.
Available Format: CD
And finally, something a little different. Like the Dickens classic itself, Alan Barnes's 'Christmas Carol' has something for everyone: a treat for the jazz connoisseur, it will also delight anyone who loves music or literature - or just Christmas! This new suite of pieces takes the audience through the characters and scenes of 'A Christmas Carol'. Eight virtuoso musicians - including trumpeter Bruce Adams, trombonist Mark Nightingale, saxophonists Robert Fowler and Karen Sharp and pianist David Newton - bring the characters and scenes to life, switching audiences from hilarity to pathos with a skill that would have done credit to Dickens himself!
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
Matt Groom - Head of Jazz
