Christmas music in Jazz Instrumental Music

"A Smooth Jazz Christmas" (09/01/2003) Jazz Instrument Koz, Dave, Capitol/EMI RecordsPersonnel includes: Dave Koz (soprano, alto & tenor saxophones); Brenda Russell, Kenny Loggins (vocals); Rick Braun (trumpet, flugelhorn); Peter White (accordion, acoustic guitar); David Benoit (piano). Recorded at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California. A SMOOTH JAZZ CHRISTMAS was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album. Accompanied by some famous friends, mellow saxophonist Dave Koz delivers, as this album's title promises, holiday standards with a smooth jazz style. If you're the type that likes to nuzzle up with the likes of Kenny G or Lee Ritenour at Christmastime, then the soft sounds of Koz and his cohorts will be just what Santa ordered. In addition to the instrumental might of Koz and keyboardist David Benoit (a smooth jazz icon in his own right), there are the vocal talents of Brenda Russell and longtime pop sensation Kenny Loggins, who add another level to the lite jazz sounds, fleshing things out a bit more than one might expect.

"Christmas Cocktail Party: Holiday Piano Spiked with Swing" (07/26/2004) Jazz Instrument McKenna, Dave, Concord JazzThis collection of piano interpretations of Christmas favorites is a fine addition to the collections of fans of Dave McKenna. Highlights include a fun version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," "Snowbells," and "Adeste Fideles." Not satisfied to merely plunk out familiar melodies, McKenna actually infuses these songs with creative flair and interesting flourishes that distinguish this album from the flood of other Christmas releases. ~ Stacia Proefrock

"Home for Christmas" (08/22/2000) Jazz Instrument Waters, Kim, Warlock RecordsPersonnel: Kim Waters (soprano & alto saxophones, piano, keyboards, drum programming, background vocals); Alex Simms (vocals); Allen Thomas (guitar); Moe Daniels (piano); James Waters (bass); Ron Palmer (drums). Engineers: Arnold Geher, Adam Cooke, Mitchell Allen (all tracks). Personnel: Kim Waters (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, piano, keyboards, drum programming, background vocals); Alex Simms (vocals, background vocals); Allen Thomas (guitar); Moe Daniels (piano). Audio Mixers: Jerry Lane; Arnold Geher. Recording information: High Heel Studios. Arranger: Kim Waters. Home for Christmas features Kim Waters performing a variety of Christmas favorites. Featured songs include "The Christmas Song," "Christ Was Born on Christmas Day," "White Christmas," and "Silent Night," along with six others. Most of these songs are well-known and performed in a straightforward style. This collection should delight anyone looking for a plain holiday album who also appreciates Waters' style of music. ~ Jason Birchmeier

"Have Yourself a Soulful Little Christmas" (10/21/2003) Jazz Instrument Burrell, Kenny, Verve (USA)Personnel includes: Kenny Burrell (guitar); Richard Evans (arranger, conductor); Esmond Edwards (arranger). Recorded at Ter-Mar Studios, Chicago, Illinois in October 1966. Originally released on Cadet (779). Includes liner notes by Barbara J. Gardner. After its original release on Cadet Records in 1966, Have Yourself a Soulful Little Christmas was out of print for years until a 1992 reissue. With pensive, meditative, precise playing, it's a must-have and features a definitive jazz hit version of "Little Drummer Boy." ~ David A. Milberg & Michael G. Nastos

"Christmas '64 [2005]" (10/25/2005) Jazz Instrument Smith, Jimmy (Organ), Verve (USA)Personnel: Jimmy Smith (organ); Kenny Burrell, Quentin Warren (guitar); Margaret Ross (harp); Ernie Royal (trumpet); Joe Newman (flugelhorn); Jim Buffington (French horn); Jimmy Cleveland (trombone); Harvey Phillips (tuba); Art Davis (double bass); Grady Tate, Billy Hart (drums); George Devens (percussion). The master of the Hammond B-3 tickles the keys in full holiday mode on CHRISTMAS '64. While not nearly as gritty as BACK AT THE CHICKEN SHACK or THE SERMON, this seasonal platter finds Jimmy Smith lending his swirling, steamy organ sound to renditions of, among other favorites, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." Compared to most Christmas albums, this is plenty groovy, with lots of Smith's trademark dexterity and bop runs on offer.

"A Concord Jazz Christmas" (07/26/2004) Jazz Instrument Various Artists, Concord JazzThis CD collects 17 performances of Christmas-related songs, none of which were released elsewhere. Concord has long had a very impressive roster of artists, and many are featured on this consistently swinging yet respectful set, including Rosemary Clooney, Ken Peplowski, Gene Harris, the Cheathams, Stefan Scaggiari, Charlie Byrd, Susannah McCorkle, Marian McPartland, Frank Vignola, Karrin Allyson, Scott Hamilton, Jimmy Bruno, Rob McConnell, Eden Atwood, Dave McKenna, Howard Alden and Carol Sloane. An enjoyable and well-rounded (if not overly memorable) set. ~ Scott Yanow

"Jazz for Joy" (10/15/1996) Jazz Instrument Various Artists, Verve (USA)Personnel: Abbey Lincoln, Shirley Horn, Betty Carter (vocals); Mark Whitfield (guitar); Ron Blake (tenor saxophone); Roy Hargrove (trumpet, flugelhorn); Roy Hargrive, Nicholas Payton (trumpet); Stephen Scott (piano); Christian McBride (hi-hat). Audio Mixer: James Nichols. Recording information: Clinton Recording (04/09/1996-04/23/1996). Arranger: Don Sickler. This is a well-rounded set of Christmas songs played by some of Verve's top artists. Shirley Horn, Betty Carter and Abbey Lincoln take two vocals apiece, and the seven instrumentals feature such major players as trumpeters Roy Hargrove and Nicholas Payton, bassist Christian McBride, guitarist Mark Whitfield (showcased on "Soulful Jingle Bells") and pianist Stephen Scott. There is enough variety throughout the date to hold one's interest, with the versions of "Frosty the Snowman," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" being among the hotter interpretations. ~ Scott Yanow

"Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas [Verve]" (07/26/1989) Jazz Instrument Various Artists, Verve (USA)This 15-track CD has something for everyone: the smooth vocal styling of Billy Eckstine on "Christmas Eve," and the purring Dinah Washington on the seductive "Ole Santa," and Ella Fitzgerald showing her soft and sentimental side on the single, "The Secret of Christmas." Billie Holiday, with help from Benny Carter and Sweets Edison, warms up the punch bowl with "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," while Sister Rosetta Tharpe raises the rafters on her powerful rendition of "O Little Town of Bethlehem." Jimmy Smith and his funky Hammond B3 invigorate "Jingle Bells," adding tympani and horns, he totally reinvents "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." ~ Dennis MacDonald

"Merry Christmas from Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Orchestra" (09/26/2000) Jazz Instrument Severinsen, Doc, Amherst RecordsThe Tonight Show Band: Doc Severinsen (trumpet, flugelhorn, conductor); Tommy Newsom, John Bambridge, Bill Perkins (alto saxophone, flute, clarinet); Pete Christlieb, Tom Peterson (tenor saxophone, flute clarinet); Don Ashworth (bass saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute); Chuck Findley, Snooky Young, Conte Candoli, Frank Szabo, Maurey Harris (trumpet, flugelhorn); Gil Falco, Bruce Paulson (trombones); Ernie Tack (bass trombone); Ross Tompkins (piano, celesta 3); Tom Rizzo (guitar); Joel Dibartolo (bass); Ed Shaughnessy (drums). The Pacific Brass: Donald E. Green, George Burnette Dillon, Robert A. Karon (trumpets); Andrew Byron Peebles, James Sawyer, Phillip Teele (trombones); Richard Perissi, Jim Atkinson (French horns); Tom Ranier (organ); Wallace Snow (percussion). The Philharmonic Strings: Artemis Theodos, Spring Berv, Corinne M. Metter, Ann M. Leathers, Carol A. Pool, Louann Montesi, George Wozniak, Robert C. Tenca, Faith Fraioli Glassman, Elliot Rosoff, Mark Giannini, Elena Barere, Richard R. Henrickson, Stephan L. Tieszan (violins); Olivia Koppell, Suzanne M. Tenca, Ann V. Roggen, Jill Jaffe, Abraham A. Appleman (violas); Jeanne LeBlanc, Eleanor R. Howells, Arthur J. Flacco, John Reed (cellos). Desert Bells: Evan Andrews, Tedi Lynn Cook, Brian Golub, Meg Greenslade, Allysen Jones, Holly Leffler, Chris Schultz, Brian Smith, Kathy Barry, Katie Davis, Tracy Golub, Jeni Johnson, Amber Lefler, Catherine Schultz, Susan Simon, Tara Smith (bell ringers). Additional personnel: Richard Perisi (French horn); John T. Johnson (tuba); Amy Shulman (harp); Gene Estes (percussion); The Los Angeles Children's Chorus, David Duke, Jerry Peel. Recorded at Group IV Recording, Hollywood, California and Carriage House Studios, Stamford, Connecticut. Includes liner notes by Doc Severinsen. Personnel: Doc Severinsen (trumpet, flugelhorn); Tom Rizzo (guitar); Amy Shulman (harp); Spring Berv (violin, strings); Stephan L. Tieszan, Faith Fraioli Glassman, Artemis Theodos, Elliott Rosoff, George Wozniak, Louann Montesi, Mark Giannini, Corine Metter, Elena Barere, Richard Henrickson, Carol Pool, Ann Leathers (violin); Abe Appleman, Olivia Koppell, Suzanne M. Tenca, Ann Roggen, Jill Jaffe (viola); Ross Tompkins (cello, piano, celesta); Arthur J. Flacco, Jeanne LeBlanc, John Reed (cello); Don Ashworth (flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone, bass saxophone); John Bambridge, Tommy Newsom, Bill Perkins (flute, clarinet, alto saxophone); Pete Christlieb, Tom Peterson (flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone); Chuck Findley, Conte Candoli, Maurice Harris, Maurey Harris, Snooky Young, Frank Szabo (trumpet, flugelhorn); Robert A. Karon, George Burnette Dillon (trumpet); John Thomas Johnson (French horn, tuba); Jim Atkinson, David Duke, Richard Perissi, Jerry Peel (French horn); James Sawyer, Andrew Byron Peebles, Gilbert Falco, Phil Teele, Bruce Paulson (trombone); Ernie Tack (bass trombone); Tom Ranier (organ); Ed Shaughnessy (drums); Wally Snow, Gene Estes (percussion); Chris Schultz, Tedi Lynn Cook, Allysen Jones, Ambre Leffler, Brian Golub, Holly Leffler, Tracy Golub (bells, hand bells); Brian Smith , Katie Davis (bells); Eamonn Andrews, Katherine Davis, Tab Smith & His Orchestra, Kate Barry, Jennifer Johnson (hand bells). Audio Mixer: Hank Cicalo. Liner Note Author: Doc Severinsen. Recording information: Group IV Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA. Director: Rebecca Thompson. Arrangers: Julia Winterberg; John Bambridge; Tommy Newsom. Like Doc himself, Merry Christmas from Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Orchestra is a brassy, stylish, and shamelessly enjoyable album. Severinsen never takes risks -- the swaggering arrangements will be familiar to anyone who watched Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, and all the songs are staples -- but he's made an entertaining album. He's not alone on this one either -- the L.A. Children's Chorus, the Philharmonic Strings, and the Desert Bells help out on individual tracks. When all is said and done, there might not be much unexpected here, but it's all quite fun. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine This is The Tonight Show band's treatment

"Christmas Carols for Solo Guitar [Remaster]" (10/04/2005) Jazz Instrument Byrd, Charlie, DRG (USA)Personnel: Charlie Byrd (guitar). Christmas Carols for Solo Guitar is a lovely, understated collection that's not only ideal as low-key holiday music, but it's also a good showcase for Byrd's interpretive talents. He doesn't necessarily reinvent these songs, but his tasteful, elegant readings of "O Holy Night," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Joy to the World," "What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)," "The First Noel" and "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" are certainly individual. Holiday music is rarely this graceful; for fans of pretty instrumentals and accomplished guitar playing, this is a perfect Christmas record. ~ Robert Lovering