The Best Christmas Music for Jazz Piano Lovers

The holidays are a great time to relax and enjoy some beautiful jazz piano music. Here are some of the best Christmas songs for jazz piano lovers.

The Best Christmas Music for Jazz Piano Lovers

The holiday season is upon us, and that means it’s time to start thinking about what Christmas music to play on the piano. If you’re a jazz lover, you might be wondering what the best Christmas songs are for your favorite instrument.

Luckily, there are plenty of great options out there. From classics like “White Christmas” and “Silent Night” to more modern tunes like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” there’s something for everyone.

To help you get started, we’ve rounded up some of the best Christmas music for jazz piano lovers. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the most beautiful holiday tunes around.

The Best Christmas Music for Jazz Piano Lovers – Part 1

If you’re a jazz piano lover, you’re in for a real treat this Christmas! We’ve compiled a list of the best Christmas music for jazz piano, ranging from traditional holiday classics to more modern Jazz renditions. So whether you’re looking to add some holiday cheer to your repertoire or just want to enjoy some festive tunes, be sure to check out our list.

In this first installment, we’ll be featuring 5 of the best contemporary jazz Christmas albums that were released in the last few years. These albums are sure to get you into the holiday spirit!

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas by The Vince Guaraldi Trio
This classic album from 1965 features Vince Guaraldi’s iconic Jazz piano style and has become one of the most beloved Christmas albums of all time. If you’re a fan of Jazz piano, this is a must-have for your collection.

2. What Christmas Means by McCoy Tyner
Released in 2010, McCoy Tyner’s What Christmas Means is a modern take on traditional holiday classics. Tyner’s masterful piano playing is on full display throughout the album and is sure to get you into the holiday spirit.

3. An Evening with Dave Brubeck by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
This 1963 release from The Dave Brubeck Quartet features some of the group’s most beloved Jazz renditions of popular Christmas songs. If you’re looking for a more traditional take on holiday classics, this album is for you.

4. The Magical World of Christmas by Ramsey Lewis
This 1968 release from Ramsey Lewis features his signature Jazz piano style applied to popular Christmas favorites like “White Christmas” and “The First Noel.” If you want to add some classic Jazz flavor to your holiday music collection, this is the perfect album for you.

5. A John Pizzarelli Christmas by John Pizzarelli Quartet
Released in 2008, A John Pizzarelli Christmas features the famed jazz guitarist and singer performing festive arrangements of popular holiday tunes. Pizzarelli’s smooth vocal delivery and signature guitar playing are guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit.

The Best Christmas Music for Jazz Piano Lovers – Part 2

Welcome back to our second installment of The Best Christmas Music for Jazz Piano Lovers! This time, we’re featuring five more tunes that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

1. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Bill Evans
2. “The Christmas Song” by McCoy Tyner
3. “My Favorite Things” by Oscar Peterson
4. “We Three Kings” by Chick Corea
5. “White Christmas” by Dave Brubeck

The Best Christmas Music for Jazz Piano Lovers – Part 3

In the first two parts of this series, we explored a variety of holiday tunes that are perfect for jazz piano lovers. In this final installment, we’ll take a look at some more great tunes to get you in the holiday spirit!

Whether you’re looking for something to play at your next holiday party or just want to add some festive flavor to your practice routine, these tunes are sure to hit the spot.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
This classic holiday tune was originally written for the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis. The song has been recorded by many artists over the years, but our favorite version is by jazz great Bill Evans. Evans’ arrangement is perfect for solo piano and his delicate touch brings out the beauty of the melody.

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
This fun and festive tune was written by Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie and first appeared in the 1934 film Babes in Toyland. It’s become a holiday standard and has been recorded by everyone from Bing Crosby to Bruce Springsteen. We love Oscar Peterson’s version – it’s full of energy and sure to get your toes tapping.

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
This beloved holiday tune was written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells in 1944. It’s become a jazz standard and has been recorded by many artists over the years, including Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan. We particularly love Ramsey Lewis’ version – it’s got a bright, joyful feel that is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.

The Best Christmas Music for Jazz Piano Lovers – Part 4

It’s that time of year again! Here is the fourth installment of my Jazz Christmas Music for Piano Lovers blog series. This year I’ve decided to focus on music that was originally written for piano. In previous years I’ve included arrangements and transcriptions, but this year I wanted to highlight some wonderful pieces that were specifically composed for our instrument.

As always, these are in no particular order and covers a wide range of styles within the jazz genre. So without further ado, here are my picks for the best jazz piano Christmas music!

“Christmas Time Is Here” by Vince Guaraldi
This is a timeless classic from the 1965 animated TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. The simple, yet beautiful melody has been covered by everyone from Miles Davis to Band of Horses, but Guaraldi’s original piano arrangement is still the best.

“Snowfall” by Chick Corea
This lovely piece was written by Chick Corea for his 1991 album Like Minds. It features a solo piano performance with an added layer of electronic sounds. The result is a very peaceful and serene track that is perfect for a winter evening.

“Linus and Lucy” by Vince Guaraldi
Another classic from A Charlie Brown Christmas, this upbeat tune has become one of the most popular jazz standards in recent years. It’s often performed by trios or quartets, but Guaraldi’s original solo piano version is still my favorite.

“Carol of the Bells” by Oscar Peterson
Peterson’s arrangement of this traditional Ukrainian folk song is a jazzy masterpiece. It was originally released on his 1958 album TheLP Christmas Piano of Oscar Peterson and has been covered by many artists since then. But Peterson’s original solo piano version is still the best.

“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” by Oscar Peterson
This Swingin’ version of the holiday classic was originally recorded by Peterson in 1947 with his trio (which featured guitarist Herb Ellis and bassist Ray Brown). It was released on the album The Best of Oscar Peterson Trio + Solo Tracks (1947-1949) and has been a holiday staple ever since.
“The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)” by Nat King Cole This heartwarming tune was originally written as a summer song about Santa Claus, but it quickly became a holiday standard after being recorded by Nat King Cole in 1946. His voice is as smooth as silk and his piano playing is equally impressive. It’s no wonder this track has become one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time!

The Best Christmas Music for Jazz Piano Lovers – Part 5

Christmas is a festive time of year when many people enjoy getting together with family and friends, decorating their homes, and attending holiday parties. For Jazz piano lovers, Christmas is also a great time to enjoy playing and listening to holiday music. If you are looking for some great Christmas music to add to your Jazz piano repertoire, check out our list of the best Christmas songs for Jazz piano below.

Jingle Bells: This classic Christmas song was written by James Pierpont in 1857 and is one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. It is often played on the piano in a fast and lively tempo and makes a great addition to any Jazz pianist’s repertoire.

O Holy Night: This beautiful Christmas carol was composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 and is a staple of holiday music around the world. It has been performed by many famous singers throughout the years, including Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Barbra Streisand, and Mariah Carey. The piano arrangement of this song is stunning and perfect for any Jazz pianist looking to add a touch of class to their holiday repertoire.

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town: This fun and festive Christmas song was written by Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie in 1934 and has been recorded by many artists over the years, including Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, and Justin Bieber. The original Piano Solo version of this song was played by Art Tatum and remains one of the most popular ways to perform it today.

White Christmas: This timeless Christmas classic was written by Irving Berlin in 1942 and has been recorded by artists such as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Lady Gaga, and Whitney Houston. The original Piano Solo version of this song was played by Edgar Sampson and remains one of the most popular ways to perform it today.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: This heartwarming Christmas song was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane in 1944 and has been recorded by many artists over the years, including Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Christina Aguilera, Michael Bublé, and Kelly Clarkson. The original Piano Solo version of this song was played by Ralph Blane himself and remains one of the most popular ways to perform it today.

The Best Christmas Music for Jazz Piano Lovers – Part 6

In this, the final instalment of our look at the best Christmas music for jazz piano lovers, we turn to some more contemporary holiday tunes. While these may not have been written with the piano in mind, they have all been cleverly arranged for the instrument and make for some great jazz holiday fun. So, without further ado, here are four more top Christmas tunes for jazz piano lovers…

‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ – Michael Brecker
This version of the classic Christmas tune was originally recorded by Michael Brecker as part of his 1992 album ‘Christmas Songs’. The arrangement is beautifully understated, with Brecker taking a laid-back approach to the melody that really allows the tune to breathe. It’s a great example of how less can sometimes be more when it comes to arranging a pop song for jazz piano.

‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ – Fred Hersch
This is another beautiful arrangement of a classic Christmas song, this time courtesy of Fred Hersch. His version retains all the warmth and nostalgia of the original while adding his own unique flavor to proceedings. The result is a delightful rendition that is sure to get you in the festive spirit.

‘Winter Wonderland’ – McCoy Tyner
McCoy Tyner is one of the true giants of jazz piano, and he brings his considerable talents to bear on this arrangement of ‘Winter Wonderland’. It’s a fun and upbeat take on the tune that is sure to get your toes tapping. Tyner also throws in a few surprises along the way, making for a truly memorable performance.

‘Sleigh Ride’ – Chuck Mangione
We finish up with this arrangement of ‘Sleigh Ride’ by Chuck Mangione. It appeared on his 1978 album ‘Feels So Good Live! At Lulu White’s Maison de Soul Club New Orleans December 1977′, and it captures all the excitement and energy of a live performance. Mangione infuses the tune with his trademark Latin flavor, resulting in an electrifying performance that is sure to get you on your feet.

The Best Christmas Music for Jazz Piano Lovers – Part 7

The last in our series of the best Christmas music for jazz piano lovers, we’ve saved some of the most popular classics for last. Here are our top picks for the best Christmas music to play on the piano.

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane
This classic Christmas song was originally written for the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis. It has been recorded by many artists over the years, but we particularly love Erroll Garner’s jazz piano arrangement.

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by Walter Kent and Buck Ram
First recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943, this heartwarming Christmas song is about a soldier who is homesick during the holidays. We love Jaco Pastorius’ jazzy bass guitar arrangement, which he recorded with Weather Report in 1982.

“Christmas Time Is Here” by Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi
This beautiful holiday tune was written for the 1965 TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. It has been recorded by many artists, but we think Vince Guaraldi’s original jazz piano arrangement is the best.

The Best Christmas Music for Jazz Piano Lovers – Part 8

In this eight-part series, we recommend the best Christmas music for jazz piano lovers. We’ve included a mix of holiday standards and lesser-known gems, all arranged for solo piano. Whether you’re looking for something to play at your own holiday party or you’re just in the mood for some festive tunes, we hope you enjoy these selections.

Part 8:

1. “Christmas Time Is Here” ( Vince Guaraldi Trio)
2. “O Tannenbaum” ( Oscar Peterson)
3. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” ( George Shearing)
4. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” ( Nat King Cole)
5. “White Christmas” ( Erroll Garner)
6. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” ( Ahmad Jamal)

The Best Christmas Music for Jazz Piano Lovers – Part 9

Welcome to the ninth installment of our series on the best Christmas music for jazz piano lovers! This week, we’re featuring five more great tracks that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

First up is “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” by Nat King Cole. This classic carol gets a swinging treatment from Cole, complete with some lovely piano work.

Next is “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” by Bill Evans. Evans’ delicate touch on the keys is the perfect complement to this holiday favorite.

Third is “White Christmas” by Erroll Garner. Garner’s arrangement is both beautiful and catchy, making it a perfect choice for your holiday playlist.

Fourth is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Oscar Peterson. Peterson’s version of this classic song is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Finally, we have “Winter Wonderland” by Thelonious Monk. Monk’s unique approach to jazz piano is on full display in this fun and festive track.

We hope you enjoy these great tracks! Happy holidays!