Jazz up your holidays
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 14:44
Music is such an essential part of the Christmas season. From the old time carols to Handel’s “Messiah,” music fills the air, helping to enhance the feelings of good will and joy.
Jazz musicians are not immune to the influence and, as such, apply their unique approach and ideas to many of the favorites.
Looking for something to accompany you through the season? What follows are some of the many great holiday CDs from jazz musicians of today and yesterday.
Singer Diana Krall joins the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra for a program of swinging arrangements of holiday favorites on “Christmas Songs.” Likewise, current vocal sensation Michael Bublé offers his take on the big band Christmas thing with “Let It Snow,” as does Harry Connick Jr. on “What A Night: A Christmas Album.”
Tony Bennett offers up “A Swingin’ Christmas” in his inimitable swinging fashion, and Wynton Marsalis serves up his take on the music of Christmas, adding a little New Orleans spice to “Christmas Jazz Jam.”
If Latin music is your thing, check out “Latin Jazz Christmas,” featuring a variety of artists including Arturo Sandoval.
The smooth vocal harmonies of Take Six are a perfect fit for holiday songs on “Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” And, if you can find it, check out this remarkable a cappella group’s earlier holiday recording, “He Is Christmas.”
“Jingle Bell Jazz” offers up a reissue of two holiday jazz recordings from yesteryear on Columbia Records, “Jingle Bell Jazz” and “God Rest Ye Merry Jazzmen.” The former is a decent, though inconsistent album from the 1960s that features a legendary recording of “Blue Christmas” with Bob Dorough and Miles Davis, as well as excellent renditions of “Jingle Bells” by the Duke Ellington Orchestra and “The Christmas Song” by Carmen McCrae. The latter recording is from the early 1980s and includes superb performances from varied artists such as Dexter Gordon on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” the Wynton Marsalis Quintet with brother Branford Marsalis on “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” as well as a solo rendition of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by McCoy Tyner, and the Heath Brothers with an original tune based on “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” called “Our Little Town.”
Still one of the all-time favorites is “A Charlie Brown Christmas” from Vince Guaraldi, the original music director for the early “Peanuts” television specials. With classics such as “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Christmas is Coming,” and Guaraldi’s stellar version of “O Tannenbaum,” it’s a true holiday classic.
Finally, a personal favorite of mine is “Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.” This fantastic recording casts the original melodies of Handel in new versions that cross the spectrum of black music, from soul to hip-hop to jazz. First released 20 years ago and featuring the members of Take Six, Quincy Jones, Diane Reeves, the Yellowjackets and a host of others, this CD exudes beauty and joy from beginning to end. Its celebratory vibe, to me, represents what is best about this season—Peace and Good Will toward Men and Women. Have a joyous Holiday Season!
Jazz musicians are not immune to the influence and, as such, apply their unique approach and ideas to many of the favorites.
Looking for something to accompany you through the season? What follows are some of the many great holiday CDs from jazz musicians of today and yesterday.
Singer Diana Krall joins the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra for a program of swinging arrangements of holiday favorites on “Christmas Songs.” Likewise, current vocal sensation Michael Bublé offers his take on the big band Christmas thing with “Let It Snow,” as does Harry Connick Jr. on “What A Night: A Christmas Album.”
Tony Bennett offers up “A Swingin’ Christmas” in his inimitable swinging fashion, and Wynton Marsalis serves up his take on the music of Christmas, adding a little New Orleans spice to “Christmas Jazz Jam.”
If Latin music is your thing, check out “Latin Jazz Christmas,” featuring a variety of artists including Arturo Sandoval.
The smooth vocal harmonies of Take Six are a perfect fit for holiday songs on “Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” And, if you can find it, check out this remarkable a cappella group’s earlier holiday recording, “He Is Christmas.”
“Jingle Bell Jazz” offers up a reissue of two holiday jazz recordings from yesteryear on Columbia Records, “Jingle Bell Jazz” and “God Rest Ye Merry Jazzmen.” The former is a decent, though inconsistent album from the 1960s that features a legendary recording of “Blue Christmas” with Bob Dorough and Miles Davis, as well as excellent renditions of “Jingle Bells” by the Duke Ellington Orchestra and “The Christmas Song” by Carmen McCrae. The latter recording is from the early 1980s and includes superb performances from varied artists such as Dexter Gordon on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” the Wynton Marsalis Quintet with brother Branford Marsalis on “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” as well as a solo rendition of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by McCoy Tyner, and the Heath Brothers with an original tune based on “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” called “Our Little Town.”
Still one of the all-time favorites is “A Charlie Brown Christmas” from Vince Guaraldi, the original music director for the early “Peanuts” television specials. With classics such as “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Christmas is Coming,” and Guaraldi’s stellar version of “O Tannenbaum,” it’s a true holiday classic.
Finally, a personal favorite of mine is “Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.” This fantastic recording casts the original melodies of Handel in new versions that cross the spectrum of black music, from soul to hip-hop to jazz. First released 20 years ago and featuring the members of Take Six, Quincy Jones, Diane Reeves, the Yellowjackets and a host of others, this CD exudes beauty and joy from beginning to end. Its celebratory vibe, to me, represents what is best about this season—Peace and Good Will toward Men and Women. Have a joyous Holiday Season!
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