Neighbor News
New music for the holiday season (Pt 6) Putumayo's Jazz Christmas
A mostly-instrumental presentation of some not-always-heard holiday classics.
Gotta love the work that the folks at Putumayo do year in & year out. For many years, founder Dan Storper and his crew have been producing some of the finest holiday compilations on the planet – And that makes sense since Putumayo is a world-wide company that scours the globe to bring us all kinds of very cool thing (including music) all year long. This latest offering is no exception – So we were thrilled when Jazz Christmas showed up in our mailbox & we immediately made it our sixth selection in our “12 Faves of Christmas” …
The mostly-instrumental collection begins with pianist Tom Grant wasting no time in presenting his charming spin on the timeless seasonal tune, “Winter Wonderland.” Then, longtime New Orleans traditional jazz band, Dixieland Ramblers, offer a laidback piano and bass take on “The Christmas Song.” The Chad Lawson Trio share their sprightly jazz rendition of “Angels We Have Heard on High,” and jazz legend Oscar Peterson follows with his take on the popular holiday song, “Let It Snow,” which includes impressive piano riffs by the icon himself. The Dixieland Ramblers follow, with piano and trombone trading solos on the wistful, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” The expressive and energetic plucking of acoustic bass introduces the next classic holiday tune by tenor saxophonist Houston Person, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” one of the oldest Christmas carols still being performed today. Then, we get a double-dose as Houston Person returns with his swinging rendition of the moody ballad, “Blue Christmas.” The New Orleans jazz music scene has been the birthplace of many well-known holiday classics, whether traditional covers or all-original tunes, that incorporate the heart and soul of the Crescent City. One such tune is “Christmas Time In New Orleans,” performed here by Lars Edegran and His Santa Claus Revelers including the late “Big Al” Carson. Papa Don Vappie’s New Orleans Jazz Band is another Louisiana outfit bringing new flavor to old-time traditions and offers a boisterous banjo-based rendition of “Silver Bells.” Finally, closing out this seasonal celebration pianist/singer Charles Brown’s bluesy take on “Bringing In A Brand New Year.” A wonderful way to close out a wonderful celebration of music.
With both familiar carols and new interpretations, the songs on Putumayo’s Jazz Christmas collection are bound to fill listeners with the joy and good cheer the holidays can provide. Here’s a link to stream these tunes for you to check out – Enjoy!
