[Dixielandjazz] Christmas Jazz

[David Richoux]

I'm really surprised that none of the Frank Sinatra Christmas songs  
are not in that top 10!
There are several CD compilations and albums available many places:
http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6790452/a/Christmas+Collection.htm 
  - I especially like his version of "Santa Clause is Coming to Town."  
The collection also has two duets with Bing!

"Christmas Songs by Sinatra" and "A Jolly Christmas from Frank  
Sinatra" are also highly rated, with some different arrangements.

"Hipsters' Holiday" has a lot of other good stuff on it - a bit  
towards the BeBop / Beatnik side of things, but still  jazzy. It is  
available pretty cheap ($3) on Amazon right now

Another unusual group that does interesting things with Christmas  
carols and seasonal songs is Brave Combo (they have won a Grammy in  
the Polka category, but thy do much more than that.) I just saw them a  
few weeks ago and they were really cookin'!
http://www.brave.com/bo/itschris.htm - you can order it directly from  
the band here:
http://www.brave.com/bcstore/index.php


Dave Richoux

On Sep 23, 2009, at 10:08 AM, Stephen G Barbone wrote:

> 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.
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