[Dixielandjazz] Christmas/Snowy Jazz Tunes

[Stephen G Barbone]

Below are the top 10 Christmas Jazz Recordings as promulgated by All  
About Jazz in 2003: I'm not sure how many mention snow. <grin>

There are quite a few neat songs in the Christmas/Snow genre for other  
examples see:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/joecox

or

http://www.amazon.com/Santas-Bag-All-Star-Jazz-Christmas/dp/B000003D4E

Or goggle search for <Christmas Jazz Songs> or <Snow Jazz Songs> or
<Fats Waller Christmas Songs> etc., etc., etc.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone


"The Christmas Song" Dexter Gordon
The Panther! (Original Jazz Classics)
Master of the saxophone ballad transforms a holiday pop favorite into  
a soulful blues improvisation.

"Here Comes Santa Claus" Ramsey Lewis
Sound Of Christmas (Chess/MCA)
In their prime, Ramsey Lewis and his trio could make anything sound  
great. Here lies the proof.

"Jingle Bells" Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
Jingle Bell Swing (Columbia/Legacy)
Classic Duke sound and great choruses played with typical economy from  
his sidemen circa 1962.

"Skating" Vince Guaraldi
A Charlie Brown Christmas (Fantasy)
The melody captures the essence of the title in this masterpiece from  
the uncanny Guaraldi.

"Good Morning Blues" Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas (Verve)
A hipster-ish Ella swings the Basie blues in merry 6/8 time.

"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas (Verve)
No one does this song better. The shyness and longing of Ella's  
persona are palpable.

"Christmas In New Orleans" Louis Armstrong w/ the Benny Carter Orchestra
Hipster's Holiday (Rhino)
Louis recorded a lot of Christmas tunes. This one wins for the  
combination of Armstrong's obvious love for his subject and golden  
trumpet cadenzas.

"O' Tannenbaum" Vince Guaraldi
A Charlie Brown Christmas (Fantasy)
Guaraldi's elegantly stated theme and sudden shift to 4/4 create  
yuletide jazz perfection. Is this the most popular jazz song of all  
time?

"White Christmas" Charlie Parker All-Stars
Jingle Bell Jam (Verve)
Every family should serve up some Christmas Bird.

"Snowfall" Ahmad Jamal Trio
Cross Country Tour 1958-1961 (Chess MCA)
I've never heard a bad version of this aptly titled Claude Thornhill  
song, but Jamal's version is exceptional for his unexpected phrasing  
and Vernel Fournier's gently marching snare.