Released in 2001
Jazzonline Best Christmas Jazz Albums
YouTube: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kPdGfaxQT-IZWH1FqUS8fMQdLAMblXSX0
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4dHSpluI9qwCNS7ot4cvSS?si=BopqJTUHQgKxjBm49B6zTQ
About:
This jolly collection features fourteen of the world’s favorite holiday jingles previously recorded by the legendary vocalists and musicians of jazz. Jazz divas Shirley Horn sings “Winter Wonderland,” powerhouse singer Ella Fitzgerald performs a playful rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and the eloquent Dinah Washington amazes on “Silent Night.” John Coltrane grooves on “Greensleeves,” while Mel Torme offers a timeless version of “The Christmas Song.” Delightful treats packed together like an overstuffed Christmas stocking, this selection will be sure to add a joyful spirit to your holiday season.
Track Listing:
1. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Johnny Marks) performed by Frank DeVol / Ella Fitzgerald 02:53
2. Merry Christmas, Baby (Lou Baxter / Johnny Moore) performed by Kenny Burrell / Richard Evans 03:28
3. Christmas Eve (Carleton Carpenter / Traditional) performed by Billy Eckstine / Lionel Newman 03:05
4. Here Comes Santa Claus (Gene Autry / Oakley Haldeman) performed by Ramsey Lewis 02:41
5. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne) performed by Joe Williams 04:37
6. Greensleeves (Traditional) performed by John Coltrane 03:50
7. The Christmas Song (Mel Tormé / Robert Wells) performed by Wally Stott & His Orchestra / Mel Tormé 02:46
8. ‘Zat You, Santa Claus? (Jack Fox / James Fox) performed by Louis Armstrong / Commanders 02:49
9. Winter Wonderland (Felix Bernard / Dick Smith) performed by Shirley Horn 04:09
10. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (J. Fred Coots / Haven Gillespie) performed by Bill Evans 04:27
11. Good Morning Blues (Count Basie / Eddie Durham / Jimmy Rushing) performed by Count Basie Orchestra 03:15
12. Jingle Bells (James Pierpont) performed by Jimmy Smith 03:12
13. Silent Night (Franz Gruber / Joseph Mohr) performed by Dinah Washington 02:24
14. A Child Is Born (Thad Jones) performed by Oscar Peterson 02:35
Personnel:
Buck Clayton: trumpet
Jesse Davis: alto saxophone
Billy Eckstine: vocals
Bill Evans: piano
Ella Fitzgerald: vocals
Freddie Green: guitar
Al Grey: trombone
Roy Hargrove: trumpet, flugelhorn
Billy Hart: drums
Shirley Horn: vocals
Elvin Jones: drums
Jo Jones: drums
Gary Peacock: bass
Oscar Peterson: piano
Jimmy Rushing: vocals
Norman Simmons: piano
Mel Tormé: vocals
Dinah Washington: vocals
Mark Whitfield: guitar
Joe Williams: vocals
Lester Young: clarinet, tenor saxophone
Billy Butterfield: trumpet
Al Klink: tenor saxophone
Bernie Leighton: piano
Lou McGarity: trombone
Eldee Young: bass
Seldon Powell: baritone saxophone
Joe Wilder: trumpet
Richard Evans: performer
Don Sickler: flugelhorn
Billy Drummond: drums
Cleveland Eaton: bass
Ramsey Lewis: piano
Jimmy Garrison: bass
Walter Page: bass
McCoy Tyner: piano
Louis Armstrong: vocals
Ron Blake: tenor saxophone
Sandy Block: bass
Kenny Burrell: guitar
Clark Terry: trumpet
John Coltrane: vocals
Cutty Cutshall: trombone
Eddie Durham: guitar, trombone
Herschel Evans: clarinet, tenor saxophone
Redd Holt: drums
George Hunt: trombone
Morris Jennings: drums
Dennis Mackrel: drums
Carmen Mastren: guitar
Christian McBride: bass
Dan Minor: trombone
Paul Motian: drums
Hymie Schertzer: alto saxophone, baritone saxophone
Jimmy Smith: organ
Charles Stepney: organ, piano
Earle Warren: alto saxophone
Quentin Warren: guitar
Jack Washington: alto saxophone, baritone saxophone
Phil Giardina: trombone
Andrew Ferretti: trumpet
Carl Poole: trumpet
Jack Satterfield: trombone
Ed Grady: drums
Ed Lewis: trumpet
Bob Moore: trumpet
Count Basie Orchestra: performer
Wally Stott & His Orchestra: performer
Recorded August 9, 1937 – April, 1996
Producers: Don Sickler, Norman Granz, Esmond Edwards, Bob Shad, Creed Taylor, Bob Thiele, Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer
Compiled and sequenced by Ben Young, Bryan Koniarz, Carlos Kase, Tom Greenwood
Mastered by Jeff Willens
Research and restored by Ben Young, Bryan Koniarz
Art Direction: Hollis King
Design: Bates Hori
Review:
The legendary Verve label obviously has released a number of Christmas albums over the years. However, this must be one of the best.
Look at the list: Ella Fitzgerald (obviously), but also Kenny Burrell, Shirley Horn, Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Jimmy Smith, Oscar Peterson. Kind of the Verve All Stars.
You get a beautiful version of A Child Is Born with Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans Playing Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, and even a great Jingle Bells by Jimmy Smith. And yes, it also includes Rudolph, The Rednose Reindeer, Ella’s Christmas classic.
Again, an album that while giving you a nice Christmas feel, avoids the sugary overkill of some more contemporary collections.
