Christmas Jazz Piano Sheet Music to Get You in the Holiday Mood
Looking for some Christmas Jazz piano sheet music to get you in the holiday mood? Check out our top picks for the best festive tunes to play this season!
Christmas Jazz Standards
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Time to get in the holiday mood with some Christmas jazz piano sheet music. Here are some of our favorites to get you started.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
`Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas` is a song written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and introduced by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis.
The song was originally titled “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (And May You Never Be unhappy)”. In 1957, John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra recorded the first version of the song with this original title and lyrics. It was released on an LP album entitled White Christmas.
“Jingle Bells”
“Jingle Bells” is one of the best-known and commonly sung American Christmas songs in the world. It was written by James Lord Pierpont (1822– 1893) and published under the title “One Horse Open Sleigh” in the autumn of 1857. It has been claimed that it was originally composed to be sung by a Sunday school choir, and later became popular among college students.
The song’s success lasted into the next century, when it became a Christmas standard sung around the world. The original distribution of the sheet music did not credit Pierpont as the song’s author, which likely added to its popularity: many people assumed it was a traditional folk song or that it had been composed by someone else. In August 2018, the New York Public Library announced that “Jingle Bells” was its most-borrowed Christmas song over the past century.
“Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!”
One of the most popular winter jazz standards, “Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” was originally penned by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in 1945 as a warm weather response to Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” It wasn’t until 1957 that the song became a holiday standard after being recorded by Vaughn Monroe. Although Monroe’s recording is the most well-known, the song has been covered by countless artists over the years, including Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Barbra Streisand, Michael Bublé, and Diana Krall.
More Contemporary Christmas Jazz
If you love jazz and are in the mood for some holiday cheer, then look no further! Check out these five pieces of Christmas jazz piano sheet music. From Darius Brooks’ “Merry Christmas Baby” to Robert Glasper’s “Merry Christmas Darling”, these tunes are sure to get you in the holiday mood.
“Christmas Time is Here”
“Christmas Time is Here” is a delightful and heartwarming holiday classic originally composed by Vince Guaraldi for the 1965 television special A Charlie Brown Christmas. This beautiful and simple melody has been adapted for beginning to intermediate level piano students and jazz enthusiasts of all ages in More Contemporary Christmas Jazz. Your students and loved ones will bring the spirit of the season to life with this charmingly elegant piece!
“Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” is a song written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie and first sung on Eddie Cantor’s radio program in November 1934. It became a Christmas standard and was released on several recordings in the following years by many different artists. The tune has been used in a variety of television shows, films, and commercials.
The lyrics of the song describe Santa Claus as a bringer of Christmas cheer, as well as letting children know that they had better behave, because Santa Claus is coming to town.
“White Christmas”
“White Christmas” is a classic holiday song that has been covered by many artists over the years. This particular arrangement is for solo piano and is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. The arrangement is fairly simple and can be played by anyone with a basic understanding of keyboard piano.
Christmas Jazz for Solo Piano
Jazz up your holiday season with some solo Christmas jazz piano sheet music. Here are five pieces to get you started. ” have chosen five pieces of Christmas jazz piano sheet music that are sure to get you into the holiday mood.
“Away in a Manger”
“Away in a Manger” is a Christmas carol first published in the late 1800s in the United States. The lyrics are from a poem written by American writer, Karen distance. It is unknown who composed the melody.
The carol was originally published with two verses, but a third verse was added later. The third verse is not as well known as the first two, but it is included in some versions of the carol. “Away in a Manger” is often sung by children in kindergarten or preschool. It is also a popular choice for solo piano Christmas music.
“Deck the Halls”
For this tune, think of the melody as two parts. The right hand sings the main melody while the left hand plays nice, solid chords underneath. You can really let yourself go with the dynamics on this one – get loud on the chorus and quiet during the verses.
“O Christmas Tree”
O Christmas Tree is a classic holiday song that has been performed by many artists over the years. This Christmas jazz piano arrangement is a fun and unique way to play the song. It features a whimsical piano solo that captures the spirit of the holidays. The arrangement also includes a optional accompaniment part for those who want to add a little holiday cheer to their performance.
