[Dixielandjazz] Christmas Jazz

[Stephen G Barbone]

Back in 2003, the All about Jazz Website posted these as the top 10  
Christmas Jazz Albums. Note the one with Louis Armstrong and the Benny  
Carter Orchestra, Christmas in New Orleans.

Also, if you google <Louis Armstrong Christmas songs> you will find  
quite a few of his offerings including "Christmas With Louis Armstrong  
and Friends". 25 Christmas Songs on that album.

For music snips see:

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Louis-Armstrong-Christmas-Collection/dp/B0000C23DD/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1253725601&sr=1-1

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband


"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.