The Best Instrumental Jazz Christmas Music
Looking for some great instrumental jazz Christmas music? Look no further! We’ve rounded up some of the best tracks for you to enjoy this holiday season.
Best Instrumental Jazz Christmas Music
It’s that time of year again! Time to get in the holiday spirit with some festive music. But what if you’re not a big fan of traditional Christmas music? Have no fear, we’ve got you covered. This year, try out some of the best instrumental jazz Christmas music to get you in the holiday mood.
Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas
One of the most iconic and well-loved Christmas soundtracks of all time, Vince Guaraldi Trio’s A Charlie Brown Christmas is a must-have for any Jazz fan’s holiday collection. This timeless classic features such memorable tracks as “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Linus and Lucy,” and of course, the unforgettable “Charlie Brown Theme.” It’s the perfect album to set the mood for a cozy night by the fire, or to help get you in the spirit of Christmas Shopping!
Miles Davis – Silent Night
The smooth and mellow sounds of Miles Davis’ trumpet are the perfect accompaniment to a calm and relaxed holiday evening. This traditional arrangement of “Silent Night” is a beautifully understated rendition of a timeless classic.
Ramsey Lewis – The In Crowd
This is some of the best instrumental Jazz Christmas music that I have ever heard! The Ramsey Lewis trio performs “The In Crowd” in 1965 and the arrangements and playing are impeccable. The trio consists of Lewis on piano, Eldee Young on bass, and Red Holt on drums. They were one of the most popular and successful Jazz groups of the 1960s. This is a must-have for any Jazz fan’s collection.
Bill Evans – Peace Piece
One of Bill Evans’ most celebrated works, “Peace Piece” is a stunningly beautiful and moving piano solo. It was originally composed as part of Evans’ score for a documentary film about the Vietnam War, but has taken on a life of its own as a holiday classic. This arrangement by Phillip Keveren is sure to become a favorite in your holiday repertoire.
Oscar Peterson – We Three Kings
Oscar Peterson’s instrumental jazz arrangement of “We Three Kings” is one of the best-known and most-loved Christmas songs of all time. This version was originally released on his 1961 album The Oscar Peterson Trio at the Stratford Shakespearean Festival, and has been a holiday staple ever since. With its jazzy chord changes and Peterson’s masterful piano playing, it’s easy to see why this tune has become a Christmas classic.
Best Jazz Christmas Albums
Christmas is a great time to listen to some Jazz. Here are some of the best Jazz Christmas albums.
A Charlie Brown Christmas – Vince Guaraldi Trio
This classic jazz album was released in 1965 and was the soundtrack to the popular TV special, A Charlie Brown Christmas. It features Vince Guaraldi on piano, Fred Marshall on double bass, and Jerry Granelli on drums. The album topped the Billboard Jazz Album chart and won a Grammy award for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance – Group.
Christmas with the Chipmunks – Alvin and the Chipmunks
This holiday classic is back and better than ever! This must-have CD features all of your favorite merry melodies performed by Alvin, Simon and Theodore. You’ll love hearing these little guys put their own spin on classics like “Deck the Halls,” “Jingle Bells” and “Silent Night”. So put on your dancing shoes, because it’s time to celebrate with Christmas with the Chipmunks!
A Jazz Piano Christmas – various artists
Featuring solo piano renditions of holiday classics, A Jazz Piano Christmas is sure to get you in the festive spirit. This collection of beautiful tracks is performed by some of the best in the business, including Lang Lang, Diana Krall, and Brad Mehldau. If you’re looking for a more traditional jazz sound, this album is definitely for you.
The Best of Christmas Jazz – various artists
This 3-CD set features some of the best-known and most-loved Christmas songs performed by some of the biggest names in jazz. You’ll hear legendary performers like Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and more putting their own spin on holiday classics like “White Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Jingle Bells,” and more. The Best of Christmas Jazz is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit!
A Cool Yule – various artists
Fifty-nine tracks of pure holiday cheer, A Cool Yule features some of the biggest names in jazz interpreting holiday classics both sacred and profane. Nat King Cole, Django Reinhardt, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Benny Goodman and his orchestra, and countless others offer up indelible takes on “White Christmas,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Blue Christmas,” and other Yuletide standards. An essential piece of any well-rounded holiday music collection.
