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Jazz on Christmas morning will make you feel good. Everyone loves Christmas music and listening to Christmas songs throughout the Christmas holiday season. Putting Christmas music on Christmas morning has always been a tradition for millions of families. In 2023, many people will use streaming services for Christmas music. Those services, for the most part, play the same old Christmas songs over and over again. It’s a shame because there are so many great Christmas albums I’ve been at least over the years they’re getting ignored. On the Jazz front, there are hundreds. Finding some can be tough if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Well, we’re here to help. Below is a list of great Christmas jazz albums for you to play throughout the holiday season, especially on Christmas morning. Merry Christmas and happy holidays! Many of these items have been chosen because of fan reactions we have seen over the years to comments, emails, and conversations. These are the best.
# 10 – Christmas at My House – Larry Carlton
Why not start out this Jazz Christmas album list with the release by one of the greatest guitar players of all time. Most people don’t know about this one. Now you do. This is just a fantastic jazz fusion Christmas album by a legendary guitarist.
Released 1990
CD Tracklisting
1. The Christmas Song
2. Winter Wonderland
3. Silent Night/ It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
4. White Christmas
5. The Holly And The Ivy
6. Ringing The Bells Of Christmas
7. What Child Is This
8. The Little Drummer Boy
9. Joy To The World
10. My Favorite Things / We Three Kings Of Orient Are
11. The Christmas Song
# 9 – Yule Struttin’: A Blue Note Christmas
Released 1990
We have always loved the Blue Note label sound, especially those classic recordings from the ’50s and ’60s. So how could we not love a Blue Note label Christmas CD compilation? Yule Struttin’: A Blue Note Christmas is a compilation album released in 1990 by the renowned jazz label Blue Note Records. The album’s roster featured jazz stars of the 79s, 80s, and 90s, with performances by artists such as Bobby McFerrin, John Scofield, Lou Rawls, and Chet Baker as well as some older classic recordings like the famous Miles Davis and Bob Dorough collaboration. Blue Note has released many Christmas compilations, but fans have always loved this one.
CD Track Listings:
- “Silent Night” – Stanley Jordan
- “The Christmas Song” – Dexter Gordon
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Lou Rawls
- “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” – Joey Calderazzo
- “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” – Eddie Henderson
- “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” – Bobby Hutcherson
- “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” – John Scofield
- “Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern)” – Bob Dorough & Miles Davis
- “O Tannenbaum” – Russell Malone
- “Christmas Blues” – Javon Jackson
- “O Come All Ye Faithful” – Benny Green
- “Winter Wonderland” – Chet Baker
# 8 – Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas
Released 1960
Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas is one of the most popular Jazz Christmas albums ever released. Ella Fitzgerald released the album in 1960. The sessions took place at Capitol Studios in Hollywood. The album was produced by Norman Granz. The arrangements were crafted by Frank DeVol, known for his ability to create lush, engaging orchestral backgrounds that perfectly complemented Fitzgerald’s voice.
CD Track Listings:
- “Jingle Bells” – 2:22
- “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” – 2:18
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – 2:55
- “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” – 3:33
- “Sleigh Ride” – 2:56
- “The Christmas Song” – 3:02
- “Good Morning Blues” – 3:15
- “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” – 2:43
- “Winter Wonderland” – 2:17
- “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – 2:52
- “Frosty the Snowman” – 2:12
- “White Christmas” – 3:02
# 7 – Christmas Jazz Jam – Wynton Marsalis
Released 2009
This one may be a little hard to find but it’s well worth it. When did Marshalls rocks the house with his swinging jazz style and deep improvisational skill set. If you are in the mood for a little New Orleans style jazz, here you go.
CD Track Listings:
- “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
- “Mary Had a Baby”
- “Jingle Bells”
- “Blue Christmas”
- “Go Tell It on the Mountain”
- “O Christmas Tree”
- “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
- “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
- “The Christmas Song”
- “Good King Wenceslas”
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
- “Greensleeves”
# 6 – A Dave Brubeck Christmas
Released 1996
Sometimes, one may just want a little piano and nothing else. Well, why not reach out to one of the best? A Dave Brubeck Christmas is a solo piano album by jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, released in 1996. The album was recorded during a single session in May 1996 at Ambient Recording Studio in Stamford, Connecticut. That’s what we call old-school recording. The album was produced by Russell Gloyd who was Brubeck’s long-time collaborator and producer.
CD Track Listings:
- “”Homecoming” Jingle Bells” – 3:21
- “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” – 3:39
- “Joy to the World” – 2:53
- “Away in a Manger” – 5:04
- “Winter Wonderland” – 4:21
- “O Little Town of Bethlehem” – 5:32
- “What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)” – 3:30
- “To Us Is Given” – 3:30
- “O Tannenbaum” – 3:35
- “Silent Night” – 4:57
- “Cantos Para Pedir las Posadas” – 4:19
- “Run, Run, Run to Bethlehem” – 3:47
- “The Christmas Song” – 6:34
- “Farewell” Jingle Bells – 2:56
# 5 – A Very Swingin’ Basie Christmas!
Released 2015
Many people may think this is an old album released by Count Basie in the 60s. It’s actually a brand new album released in 2015 by The Count Basie Orchestra. Of course, Count Basie passed away in 1984. However, the band has continued on with new players over the years and has been led by Trumpeter Scotty Barnhart since 2013. This album captures the spirit of the original Count Basie Orchestra that has continued on.
- “Jingle Bells” (Pierpont) [2:37]
- “Let It Snow” – with Ellis Marsalis (Styne/Cahn) [5:56]
- “It’s the Holiday Season” – with Johnny Mathis (Thompson) [4:02]
- “Silent Night” (Gruber/Mohr/traditional) [3:25]
- “Good “Swing” Wenceslas” (Helmore/Neale/traditional) [3:35]
- “The Christmas Song” – with Ledisi (Torme/Wells) [3:42]
- “Little Drummer Boy” (Davis/Onorati/Simeone) [4:51]
- “Sleigh Ride” (Anderson/Parish) [3:50]
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – with Carmen Bradford (Blane/Martin) [5:04]
- “Winter Wonderland” (Bernard/Smith) [3:10]
- “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” – with Ellis Marsalis & Plas Johnson (Gannon/Kent/Ram) [4:31]
# 4 – Christmas – Michael Bublé
Released 2011
Christmas is a holiday album by Canadian singer Michael Bublé, released in October 2011. It’s a festive collection that showcases Bublé’s smooth vocals and charismatic style, delivering classic Christmas songs with a fresh, modern twist. The album has become one of the most popular modern Christmas records, known for its lively arrangements and Bublé’s signature crooner touch.
The album was recorded from late 2010 to mid-2011 at various studios, including the famed Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, California. Produced by David Foster, Bob Rock, and Humberto Gatica, the trio has an extensive history of creating hit records. Their collaboration on Christmas provides a polished, sophisticated sound that complements Bublé’s vocal style perfectly.
The musicianship on Christmas is notable, featuring a range of instruments typical of big band and orchestral settings. This grandeur adds a timeless quality to the album, making it fit to be the soundtrack of many holiday seasons. From the brassy, upbeat “Jingle Bells” to the soulful “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” the arrangements are crafted to support Bublé’s performance while bringing a sense of joy and nostalgia.
Critical reception for Christmas was largely positive, with praise for Bublé’s vocal performance and the album’s production quality. It was a commercial success worldwide, topping charts in several countries and becoming one of the best-selling Christmas albums of the decade. Its enduring popularity sees it re-entering charts every holiday season, attesting to its lasting appeal.
CD Track Listings:
- “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas” – 3:26
- “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” – 2:52
- “Jingle Bells” (featuring The Puppini Sisters) – 2:40
- “White Christmas” (duet with Shania Twain) – 3:37
- “All I Want for Christmas Is You” – 2:52
- “Holly Jolly Christmas” – 2:00
- “Santa Baby” – 3:52
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – 3:51
- “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – 3:08
- “Silent Night” – 3:48
- “Blue Christmas” – 3:42
- “Cold December Night” – 3:19
- “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” – 4:26
- “Ave Maria” – 4:01
- “Mis Deseos/Feliz Navidad” (duet with Thalia) – 4:24
- “Michael’s Christmas Greeting” – 0:04
# 3 – Christmas Songs – Diana Krall
Released 2005
Who doesn’t love Diana Krall? There is a reason why Diana Krall has become the biggest selling female jazz artist of all time. From her incredible, very sophisticated piano playing to her smooth, silky voice, I know I just can’t get enough of listening to her, and neither can Jazz fans and stretch from all styles of music, including classic rock. This one’s a big winner.Christmas Songs was released in 2005, featuring the Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra backing up the incredibly talented Diana Krall.
The album was recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California, known for its rich recording history. Diana Krall worked closely with producers Tommy LiPuma and Johnny Mandel on this marvelous record.
CD Track Listings:
- “Jingle Bells” – 3:26
- “Let It Snow” – 4:02
- “The Christmas Song” – 4:24
- “Winter Wonderland” – 3:15
- “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” – 3:08
- “Christmas Time Is Here” – 3:35
- “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” – 2:54
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – 4:19
- “White Christmas” – 4:32
- “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” – 4:10
- “Sleigh Ride” – 3:26
- “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” – 3:41
# 2 – The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
Released 1960
There is nothing like a little Nat King Cole on Christmas morning. The Christmas Song album by Nat King Cole was originally released in 1960. It contains the famous title track “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire).” The album’s recording featured a full orchestra, arranged and conducted by several different arrangers and conductors including Ralph Carmichael, Nelson Riddle, and others across the various versions of the album released. It was recorded primarily at Capitol Studios in Hollywood. The album was produced by Lee Gillette, known for his work with many of Capitol Records’ top artists.
CD Track Listings:
- “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” – 3:12
- “Deck the Halls” – 1:08
- “Frosty the Snowman” – 2:17
- “I Saw Three Ships” – 1:27
- “Buon Natale (Means Merry Christmas to You)” – 1:32
- “Adeste Fideles” (O, Come All Ye Faithful) – 2:27
- “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” – 1:25
- “O Tannenbaum” – 3:00
- “O Little Town of Bethlehem” – 2:19
- “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” – 2:36
- “The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot” – 2:33
- “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – 1:49
- “The Little Christmas Tree” – 3:14
- “Joy to the World” – 1:24
- “O Holy Night” – 2:57
- “Carol of the Bells” – 1:24
# 1 – A Charlie Brown Christmas
Released 1965
A Charlie Brown Christmas was released by the Vince Guaraldi Trio for the animated television special itself. Released in 1965, this album features a series of Christmas songs both traditional and original, all given a unique, jazzy twist that has become timeless.
The album’s recording took place over several sessions in 1964 at Fantasy Recording Studios in San Francisco, California. Vince Guaraldi led the trio with his lively jazz piano, accompanied by Monty Budwig on bass and Colin Bailey on drums.The choir of children’s voices you hear on “Christmas Time is Here,” was a local children’s choir from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in San Rafael. Producer Lee Mendelson and the Vince Guaraldi Trio created an innovative sound, incorporating sophisticated jazz into a children’s Christmas narrative. The soundtrack’s reception was phenomenal, with its lead single “Linus and Lucy” becoming an iconic piece in American culture. It’s a song every piano player wants to learn. The album was a critical and commercial success, going on to be certified 4x Platinum in the U.S.
CD Track Listings:
- “O Tannenbaum” – 5:08
- “What Child Is This” – 2:20
- “My Little Drum” – 3:15
- “Linus and Lucy” – 3:03
- “Christmas Time is Here (instrumental)” – 6:06
- “Christmas Time is Here (vocal version)” – 2:44
- “Skating” – 2:24
- “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing” – 1:55
- “Christmas Is Coming” – 3:22
- “Für Elise” – 1:02
- “The Christmas Song” – 3:15
The 10 Best Christmas Jazz Albums Fans Love article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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