5 Classy Christmas Jazz Albums For The Holiday Season
5 Classy Christmas Jazz Albums For The Holiday Season
Christmas & the Winter Holidays are pretty much synonymous with family, friends, good cheer, great food, fine spirits, romance, and timeless music we all know and love.
Unfortunately for many people though, holiday music means "playing the same old songs".
When it comes to playing music for the December holidays, it seems that most of us simply pull out the old family favorites without even thinking about the selections, or what they really sound like or if even anyone wants to hear them anymore.
The sad truth is that Christmas and Holiday favorites get played so much in December, that most of us think it's a blessing when they are packed away as soon as possible after December 25th.
Have you ever considered trying some jazz Christmas music?
Want to know what jazz fans listen to around the holidays? Or how about non-jazz fans who have never even heard of Jazz Christmas Music but who have been searching for something classy and different to listen to for a change?
To shake it up a bit this Christmas, try this list of 5 Great Christmas Jazz Albums that will be sure to grab a bit of attention and maybe end up on someone's Gift Wish List:
1. Merry From Lena - Lena Horne
Smooth and romantic, it's the perfect selection for sipping hot toddies by the fireplace.
The Tracks: 1.Jingle All The Way, 2. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You), 3. Winter Wonderland, 4. White Christmas, 5. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, 6. The Little Drummer Boy, 7. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer, 8. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?, 9. Silent Night, 10. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
2. Verve Presents: Very Best of Christmas Jazz
For the ultimate in holiday music by the jazz legends, this collection features classic holiday songs.
The Tracks: 1. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer by Ella Fitzgerald, 2. Merry Christmas Baby by Kenny Burrell, 3. Christmas Eve by Billy Eckstine, 4. Here Comes Santa Claus by Ramsey Lewis Trio, 5. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! by Joe Williams, 5. Greensleeves by John Coltrane, 6. The Christmas Song by Mel Torm, 7. 'Zat You, Santa Claus? by Louis Armstrong, 8. Winter Wonderland by Shirley Horn, 9. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town by Bill Evans, 10. Good Morning Blues byCount Basie & His Orchestra, 11. Jingle Bells by Jimmy Smith, 12. Silent Night by Dinah Washington, 13. A Child Is Born by Oscar Peterson
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Original Sound Track Recording - Vince Guaraldi
Every baby boomer in America is surely familiar with this classic collection. "Linus and Lucy" is a perennial favorite.
The Tracks: 1. O Tannenbaum, 2. What Child Is This?, 3. My Little Drum, 4. Linus and Lucy, 5. Christmas Time Is Here Instrumental, 6. Christmas Time Is Here [Vocal Version], 7. Skating, 8. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, 9. Christmas Is Coming,
10. Fr Elise, 11. The Christmas Song, 12. Greensleeves
4. Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas
This CD features an exceptional collection of christmas jazz music in both vocal and instrumental versions.
The Tracks: 1. A Child Is Born - Oscar Peterson, 2. Christmas Medley -The Swingle Singers, 3. Jingle Bells - Jimmy Smith, 4. The Secret Of Christmas - Ella Fitzgerald, 5. We Free Kings - Roland Kirk Quartet, 6. Christmas Eve - Billy Eckstine, 7. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Billie Holiday, 8. Ole Santa- Dinah Washington, 9. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Bill Evans, 10. White Christmas - Ella Fitzgerald, 11. O Little Town Of Bethlehem - Sister Rosetta Tharpe, 12. The Christmas Song - Mel Torm, 13. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Jimmy Smith, 14. Silent Night - Dinah Washington, 15. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Ella Fitzgerald
5. December - Chris Botti
Most jazz fans know that Chris Botti is a very smooth trumpet player, and this holiday themed CD is just the thing for the holidays.
The Tracks: 1. The Christmas Song - Chris Botti, 2. Ave Maria - Chris Botti, 3. Winter Wonderland - Chris Botti, 4. First Noel - Chris Botti, 5. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, 6. Hallelujah - Chris Botti, 7. I Really Don't Want Much For Christmas - Chris Botti featuring Eric Bent, 8. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (New Album Version), 9. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, 10. Silent Night (New Album Version), 11. Little Drummer Boy - Chris Botti, 12. O Little Town Of Bethlehem, 13. I'll Be Home For Christmas 5 Christmas Spending Crackers 5 Christmas Gifts You Can Give For Free 5 Christmas Gift Ideas For Kettlebells Fanatics 5 Celebrity Silhouette Secrets 5 Celebrities who truly understand financial hardship 5 Best Travel Accessories For Backpackers 5 Best Surfing Holidays In Europe 5 Best Strategies for Enjoying An Inexpensive Christmas 5 Best London Annual Events For Tourists 5 Benefits Of Travel Towels 5 Awesome Holiday Destinations 5 Arguments For Selecting A Virtual Tour 5 Approaches to Save Money As You Take a Trip