Christmas Music: The Best Instrumental Jazz Albums
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It’s that time of year again! Time to curl up by the fire with a good book and some great Christmas music. Here are our picks for the best instrumental jazz albums to help get you in the holiday spirit!
Best Instrumental Jazz Albums for Christmas
Dave Brubeck – A Dave Brubeck Christmas
Few Christmas albums have the staying power of A Dave Brubeck Christmas. The jazz pianist’s 1966 release features standards such as “White Christmas” and “Silent Night” performed with his trademark sense of swing. It’s a classic album that will never go out of style.
Miles Davis – Miles Davis & Friends: The Best of Christmas Jazz
Even if you’re not a Miles Davis fan, you’ll enjoy this compilation of holiday classics performed by jazz greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Dave Brubeck, and Duke Ellington. The tracks range from representations of traditional holiday favorites to more avant-garde interpretations, making this one of the best instrumental jazz albums for Christmas.
Wynton Marsalis – Christmas Jazz Jam
This 1992 album from trumpet virtuoso Wynton Marsalis is one of the most popular and beloved holiday jazz albums of all time. Christmas Jazz Jam features an all-star lineup of Marsalis’ friends and colleagues, including pianist Brad Mehldau, saxophonist Joshua Redman, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts. The result is a swinging, joyful album that captures the magic and spirit of the holiday season.
Best Jazz Songs for Christmas
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to spread holiday cheer than with some festive tunes? If you’re looking for the best instrumental jazz albums to help get you into the Christmas spirit, look no further. Here are ten of the best Jazz songs for Christmas.
“Merry Christmas, Baby” by Charles Brown
As “Merry Christmas, Baby” begins, you might think you’re in for a slow, easygoing song. But then the horns and percussion come in, and suddenly this tune is toe-tappingly upbeat. It’s the perfect mix of holiday cheer and smooth jazz.
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” by Frank Sinatra
One of the best-known and most popular American singers of the 20th century, Francis Albert “Frank” Sinatra was born December 12, 1915, in Hoboken, New Jersey. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide.
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” is a Christmas song written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie and was first sung on Eddie Cantor’s radio show in November 1934. The song became an instant hit and has been recorded by numerous artists over the years, including Frank Sinatra.
Sinatra’s recording of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” was released as a single on November 16, 1947, on the Columbia label. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard singles chart in 1948 and has been a holiday favorite ever since.
If you’re looking for a classic Christmas song that will get everyone in the holiday spirit, look no further than “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” by Frank Sinatra.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald’s silky voice is the perfect accompaniment to this holiday classic. The lyrics are full of hope and joy, and Fitzgerald’s delivery is impeccable. It’s a perfect song for getting into the holiday spirit.
Best Jazz Albums for Christmas
Music is such an important part of the Christmas season. It helps us to get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the holiday season. There are so many great Christmas albums out there, but sometimes it can be hard to find the right one. If you’re looking for some great instrumental jazz albums to help get you into the Christmas spirit, here are some of the best.
A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio
A Charlie Brown Christmas is a 1965 studio album by American composer/pianist Vince Guaraldi (later credited to the jazz group the Vince Guaraldi Trio). Produced by Teo Macero, the album was released in December 1965 in the United States by Fantasy Records. “Christmas Time Is Here” and “Linus and Lucy” became two of the most popular and enduring holiday songs heard on radio station airplays and compilation albums during the holiday season. The album’s jazz interpretations of traditional Christmas songs have become as enduring as the cartoon special itself. In 2012, Rolling Stone ranked A Charlie Brown Christmas No. 8 on its list of the 50 Greatest Holiday Albums of All Time.
The Nat King Cole Story by Nat King Cole
The Nat King Cole Story is a 1961 studio album by American singer Nat King Cole, arranged and conducted by Ralph Carmichael.
The album was Cole’s highest-charting album, peaking at #2 on the Billboard 200, and would be certified Gold by the RIAA. The title track was also a hit, peaking at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Jazz at the Philharmonic: The Ella Fitzgerald Concert by Ella Fitzgerald
This album is a live recording of a concert featuring the one and only Ella Fitzgerald. It was originally released in 1954, and features Fitzgerald backed by a large orchestra. The repertoire on the album is mostly standards, including “Body and Soul” and “How High the Moon.” This is a must-have for any fan of Ella Fitzgerald, or anyone who loves great jazz vocalists.
