The Top Instrumental Christmas Music Groups

Looking for some great instrumental Christmas music to help get you in the holiday spirit? Check out our list of the top groups performing festive tunes!

Mannheim Steamroller

Mannheim Steamroller is an American neoclassical new-age music group founded by Chip Davis that is known primarily for its Christmas music. They have been producing albums since 1984, when their first album, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, was released. This album was a huge success, selling five million copies in the United States. They have released a total of 33 albums, with several of them reaching the number one spot on Billboard’s Top New Age Albums chart.

About

Mannheim Steamroller is an American musical group founded by Chip Davis that is best known for its reimagining of Christmas music. The group has sold 28 million albums in the United States, making it the country’s bestselling Christmas music artist.

Mannheim Steamroller began as a jazz-rock group formed by Davis in 1974. He was inspired by the sound of 18th-century composer Johann Sebastian Bach and his Baroque contemporary Georg Phillip Telemann, as well as classical composers such as Vivaldi. He combined this music with elements of rock, including electric instruments and synthesizers, to create a unique sound that was both modern and traditional.

The group’s first album, Fresh Aire, was released in 1975 and featured Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” as well as original compositions by Davis. The album was a success, selling over a million copies. Mannheim Steamroller went on to release a number of successful albums, including two certified gold albums and one certified platinum album. The group’s 1984 album, A Fresh Aire Christmas, was particularly successful, selling five million copies in the United States.

In recent years, the group has continued to tour extensively throughout the United States during the holiday season. They have also released several live albums and DVDs of their holiday concerts.

Albums

Mannheim Steamroller is an American musical group founded in 1974 by Chip Davis that is known primarily for its modern recordings of Christmas music. The group has sold 28 million albums in the United States, of which 5 million were certified Gold, Platinum or Multi-Platinum by the RIAA.

Mannheim Steamroller’s first album, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, was a collection of previously released tracks from 1974 and 1975. The album was originally released on the American Gramaphone label in 1984 and reissued on CD in 1988 and 1991. It was Mannheim Steamroller’s first album to be certified Gold by the RIAA, and was eventually certified Platinum. The album remains the group’s best-seller, with sales of more than 5 million copies in the United States.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas was followed by a second holiday album, A Fresh Aire Christmas, in 1988. This album featured new arrangements of traditional holiday carols, as well as original compositions. Like its predecessor, A Fresh Aire Christmas was certified Gold and Platinum by the RIAA.

In 1992, Mannheim Steamroller released Silent Night: A Christmas Album on American Gramaphone. This album featured a mix of traditional carols and original compositions, all performed on period instruments. Silent Night: A Christmas Album was certified Gold and Platinum by the RIAA.

In 1999, Mannheim Steamroller released Mannheim Steamroller Meets The Mouse, an album featuring Mouseketeer friends old and new performing classic Disney songs with Mannheim Steamroller arrangements. This album was recorded at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center, and featured such Mouseketeers as Annette Funicello (in her last recording before her death), Darlene Gillespie, dormant Mouseketeer Cubby O’Brien (in his only recording since he left The Mickey Mouse Club), Sherry Alberoni and Waltey Disney himself.

Songs

Mannheim Steamroller is an American musical group led by Chip Davis that specializes in Christmas music and classical crossover. The group’s first album, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, was released in 1974 and was a huge success, selling five million copies in the United States. This was followed by a second album, Fresh Aire, which was released in 1975 and achieved similar success. The group has released a number of other successful albums, including A Fresh Aire Christmas (1988), Mannheim Steamroller Christmas in the Aire (1995), and Wrightson: Hill & Co.’s English Country Dance-Hearth (1996).

The Brian Setzer Orchestra

The Brian Setzer Orchestra is an American big band that was founded in 1990 by its namesake, lead guitarist, singer, and songwriter Brian Setzer. The orchestra is rooted in swing and rockabilly music and has released eleven studio albums, two of which have been certified gold by the RIAA. The Brian Setzer Orchestra has appeared on The Tonight Show, Conan, and The Late Show with David Letterman.

About

The Brian Setzer Orchestra is a swing and jump blues band founded in 1992 by Stray Cats frontman Brian Setzer. The group’s musical style combines 1950s-era rock and roll, rockabilly, and swing. In 1990, after the Stray Cats disbanded, Setzer began a solo career with his album The Knife Feels Like Justice. This album was followed by Guitar Slinger in 1991, and two years later he formed the Brian Setzer Orchestra. The orchestra’s first album, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, was released in 1994.

The group’s second album, Guitar Slinger, was released in 1996. The album featuredSetzer’s cover of Louis Prima’s “Jump Jive an’ Wail”, which became a hit single and won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. In 1998, the orchestra released its third album, Dirty Boogie. The album featured the singles “Jumpin’ East of Java” and “This Old House”, both of which charted on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.

The orchestra’s fourth album, Vavoom!, was released in 2000. The album peaked at No. 7 on Billboard’s Jazz Albums chart. In 2001, the group released its fifth album, Ignition!. The album peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s blues Albums chart and No. 4 on the Jazz Albums chart.

In 2002, the orchestra toured Europe with Guitarmageddon featuring Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. A live DVD from this tour entitled GUITARSMASH was released in 2003 along with the concert CD Boogie Woogie Christmas featuringSetzer on guitar backing up various artists including Canadian rocker Colin James on Santa Baby and Jonny Lang doing Please Come Home For Christmas.[9] These albums were recorded during the two-year period that Setzer took off from touring while his wife recovered from childbirth complications.[10] In 2004 he toured Europe again without Satriani or Vai but this time with American guitarist Geoff Whitehorn (best known for his work with Procol Harum) as part of his backing band; these shows were recorded for 2 DVDs: Live Nude Guitars featuring BSO hits as well as numbers from Setzer’s solo albums – Gretsch – and Rockabilly Riot Vol 1: A Tribute to Sun Records all performed with Whitehorn on lead guitar;[11] Rockabilly Riot Vol 2: All Original featuring brand new songs written by Brian Setzer especially for this project performed by BSO.[12] Special guest appearances included Reverend Horton Heat performing rawhide bars live onstage during “Crazy Arms” as well as Brian himself handling lead vocal duties for Gene Vincent classics “Lotta Lovin'” and “Be Bop A Lula”.

Albums

The Brian Setzer Orchestra is a renowned American instrumental group specializing in Christmas music. They have released a number of highly-acclaimed albums, including “Boogie Woogie Christmas” (2002), “Dig That Crazy Christmas” (2005), and “Rockin’ Rudolph” (2008). In addition to their original compositions, the group’s repertoire includes a wide range of holiday classics, such as “Jingle Bells,” “White Christmas,” and “Winter Wonderland.”

Songs

The Brian Setzer Orchestra is known for their unique style of music which combines elements of jazz, big band, and rockabilly. The group has released a number of Christmas-themed albums and singles, many of which have become holiday classics. Here are some of the best Brian Setzer Orchestra songs to get you into the holiday spirit:

“Boogie Woogie Santa Claus” – This upbeat song is a great way to get started on your Christmas shopping list. The catchy tune will have you dancing around the living room in no time!

“Jingle Bells” – This classic Christmas song gets a fun twist with The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s energetic arrangement. You’ll be tapping your toes along with the rhythm in no time!

“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” – This holiday favorite is sure to put a smile on your face. The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s version is full of holiday cheer and is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is an American rock orchestra founded in New York City, USA in 1993 by Paul O’Neill, Robert Kinkel, Jon Oliva, and Al Pitrelli. The group has released eight studio albums, four live albums, and five compilations. They are best known for their live shows, which feature a full rock band, choir, and soloists.

About

Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) is an American rock orchestra founded in 1993 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O’Neill, who brought together Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli—both members of Savatage—and keyboardist and co-producer Robert Kinkel to form the core of the creative team. The band gained in popularity when they began touring in 1999 after completing their second album, The Christmas Attic.

Today, TSO comprises two touring bands—the East Coast band and West Coast band—and a creative team that includes O’Neill’s long-time collaborators Kinkel and Pitrelli. TSO has sold more than 10 million concert tickets and over 12 million albums. Their concert experiences—which combine the spectacular artistry of a rock opera with the energy and power of a hardest-rocking group—have revolutionized theconcert business by expanding it into arenas that were once off limits to rock groups.

Included among TSO’s many awards are six gold albums (five for Christmas Eve and Other Stories, one for Beethoven’s Last Night), two platinum albums (Christmas Eve and Other Stories and The Lost Christmas Eve), one double platinum album (The Ghosts of Christmas Eve), one triple platinum album (Night Castle), and three consecutive Grammy nominations for “Best Rock Instrumental Performance” (“Wizards in Winter” from The Lost Christmas Eve in 2005, “Snow Came Down” from Night Castle in 2009, and “Roads to Moscow” from Letters from the Labyrinth in 2015).

Albums

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a rock orchestra founded in New York City, United States in 1996 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O’Neill, who brought together Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli—both members of the band Savatage—and keyboardist and co-producer Robert Kinkel. The group’s musical style employs electric guitars, drums, and bass supported by symphonic keyboards and a string section.

The band has released five studio albums:
-Christmas Eve and Other Stories (1996)
-The Christmas Attic (1998)
-Beethoven’s Last Night (2000)
-Lost Tales (2001)
-Night Castle (2009)

Songs

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a rock orchestra founded in 1996 byproducer, composer, and lyricist Paul O’Neill. They are known for their progressive rock music, as well as their classical and metal Christmas-themed albums and songs. They have sold over 10 million albums and have performed in over 100 cities around the world. Some of their most popular songs include “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24”, “Wizards in Winter”, and “Carol of the Bells”.

The Ventures

About

Formed in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington, The Ventures are an American instrumental rock band. They have released over 250 different albums and have sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them the best-selling instrumental band of all time. They are particularly well-known for their hit songs “Walk, Don’t Run” and “Hawaii Five-O”. In 2008, they were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Albums

The Ventures have released over two hundred different albums, beginning with Walk, Don’t Run (1960), and most recently with The Ventures Christmas Album (2012). In between, they have released many successful albums and had a number of charting singles. They have toured extensively throughout their career, playing over 200 live shows per year for much of the last four decades.

Their first album, Walk, Don’t Run (1960), peaks at #2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and contains their signature song “Walk, Don’t Run”, which is inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.

Songs

-The Ventures Christmas Album (1965)
-The Ventures Play “Holiday Treats” (1966)
-The Ventures’ Goody Goody Christmas (1967)
-Snow Flurries (1968)
-The VenturesChristmas Joyride (1969)

The Ray Conniff Singers

The Ray Conniff Singers was an American vocal group created by, and named after, Ray Conniff. Originally formed as a backing vocal group for Conniff’s orchestra, the singers enjoyed success as recording artists in their own right, with several of their albums and singles becoming best-sellers. The group’s first album, It’s the Happiest Time of the Year, was released in 1963 and became a surprise smash hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard album chart and selling over two million copies.

About

The Ray Conniff Singers were an American vocal orchestra assembled and conducted by, and named after, musician and bandleader Ray Conniff. Originally formed as a backup vocal group for Conniff’s own band, the Ray Conniff Orchestra and Chorus, the singers achieved their greatest popularity in the 1960s singing in unison without accompaniment on recordings of popular standards, striking a balance between easy listening and pop.

The group is best known for its recordings of Christmas music, which began in 1961 with their album Songs for Christmas. The Ray Conniff Singers recorded a total of 24 albums of seasonal holiday music between 1961 and 1997; 17 of these were released between 1963 and 1972 alone. In addition to their work on traditional carols such as “Silent Night” and “White Christmas”, the group were also responsible for introducing more modern holiday songs such as “Happy Holiday” from the film White Christmas (1954) and “The Little Drummer Boy” (1968) to new generations of holiday music fans.

Albums

The following is a list of albums released by The Ray Conniff Singers:
-1962 Ray Conniff’s Christmas Album
-1963 We Wish You a Merry Christmas
-1964 The Harmony of Christmas
-1965 Christmas with Conniff (re-released in stereo in 1966 as This Is My Beloved)
-1966 Somewhere My Love (with Eileen Rodgers) (re-released in 1981 as Lara’s Theme)
1966 Joy to the World
1967 Beautiful Music, Beautiful Dreams
1968 The Ray Conniff Singers Sing the Bee Gees and Other Great Hits!
1968 Turn Around, Look at Me
1969 Love Will Keep Us Together
1970 Singin’ in the Rain /Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?

Songs

The Ray Conniff Singers were an AmericanEasy Listening vocal orchestra created and led by singer, trombonist, arranger, and composer Ray Conniff. Active from the late 1950s through the early 1970s, the group’s recordings were released on Columbia Records (late 1950s-early 1960s), ABC-Paramount Records (1963-1965), Epic Records (1965-1970) and correlated labels. Originally they sang traditional pop songs in close harmony. By 1956 they had become The Ray Conniff Singers, who enjoyed their first major hit with ” Zam bu la” in 1959

With the release of Ray Conniff’s best album The Way We Were in 1974, however, which contained his interpretations of contemporary popular songs such as Barbra Streisand’s title song and Helen Reddy’s ” I Am Woman”, his fortunes began to decline. Despite this setback, he continued to produce albums until his death in 2002

Songs:
1.” Zam bu la”
2.” I Will Wait for You”
3.” Somewhere My Love”
4.” Ebb Tide”
5. A Guy Is a Guy
6.” Strangers in the Night”
7.” Moon River”
8.” Dear Heart”