Great Jazz Christmas Albums: Your favorite music for the holidays
The holidays are here, and you are probably wondering which jazz albums would best bring out the holiday cheer in everyone. Well, All Your Jazz has you covered. We have done the research for you by compiling a list of the best Christmas jazz recordings to date.
Below is a list and a description of some of the greatest jazz Christmas albums that have been released. They have been chosen by us carefully based on popularity, selling history, and of course quality. These albums have proven themselves, time and time again, to be at the top of the list.
So, if you are thinking about Christmas gift ideas, or even just looking for the perfect musical compliment to enhance the holiday atmosphere, you should take a look at the following selections.
Enjoy!
(1) Verve Presents: Very Best of Christmas Jazz
Skip the Christmas caroling this year and slide in the new Verve Music compilation The Very Best of Christmas Jazz. This jolly collection features fourteen of the world’s favorite holiday jingles previously recorded by the legendary vocalists and musicians of jazz. Jazz divas Shirley Horn sings “Winter Wonderland,” powerhouse singer Ella Fitzgerald performs a playful rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and the eloquent Dinah Washington amazes on “Silent Night.” John Coltrane grooves on “Greensleeves,” while Mel Torme offers a timeless version of “The Christmas Song.” Delightful treats packed together like an overstuffed Christmas stocking, this selection will be sure to add a joyful spirit to your holiday season.
(2) Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas [Remastered]
It’d be hard to imagine a happier wish than the one this jazz vocal legend offers her listeners on this urbane-yet-homey collection of holiday favorites. The First Lady of Song recorded these tunes in 1960, at the peak of her interpretive powers. As such, she puts her singular stamp on everything from a sultry vamp like “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” to the sweet and cozy “The Christmas Song.” Even potentially shopworn standards like “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” sound fresher when they’re coming from Ella Fitzgerald.
(3) The Best of Louis Armstrong – The Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters
This is a collection of fine Christmas tunes by great artists from the era of the big bands, jazz, and swing. On this album, the tracks given to Mr. Armstrong are “Christmas in New Orleans”, “White Christmas”, “Christmas Night in Harlem”, “Cool Yule” (particularly fun!), “‘Zat You, Santa Claus” (yes, the tune covered by Buster Poindexter), and “Winter Wonderland. You also get to hear a young Mel Torme in a live performance of his now standard “The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire). Particularly worthwhile.
And we get Christmas songs by Dinah Washington, Peggy Lee, Eartha Kitt, and Lena Horne. The other friends are tracks by Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington (a rousing big band instrumental of Jingle Bells), and Louis Jordan. This is a great album to have filling your house over the Christmas Season.
(4) The Best of B.B. King: Christmas Collection: 20th Century Masters
Traditional Christmas songs do wonders for the holidays, but when you are ready to spice it up a bit, turn to this great release from B.B. King. Featuring renditions of your favorite Christmas hits, it gives you the best of the blues in the holiday spirit – what a great combination. Noteworthy tracks include “Back Door Santa,” “Merry Christmas, Baby,” “Please Come Home for Christmas,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” This CD has a very warm sound throughout. You can’t go wrong riding with The King this holiday season.
Oscar Peterson and his six-piece combo are all business on Peterson’s 1995 Christmas recording, extolling the virtues of Peterson’s intelligent and seductive keyboard work as well as those of his knowing sidemen. The result is a triumphant set of 14 standards showcasing the group’s intricate interplay and tasty individual solos. The ensemble’s instrument mix–a discreet blend of vibes, flügelhorn, guitar, bass, drums, and piano–adds splashes of color and shading on classics such as “Let It Snow” when you least expect it. Plus, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more knowing pianist. Peterson can be as sentimental as anyone , for example, on “White Christmas,” while also slowing a down-tempo melody even more to create an intoxicating vista. With ensemble pieces led by one of jazz’s living legends, Oscar’s refined holiday record lacks only a yule log and a nice, smooth merlot.
Your Opinions:
Let us know what you think about our selections and if you have any more to recommend. We would love to hear your feedback!
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