Piano students tend to play holiday music in a traditional or conventional way. But have you ever tried improvising over Christmas tunes? It’s a great way to spice up familiar holiday repertoire. Furthermore, if love jazz, you’ll want to add these fantastic jazz Christmas recordings to your playlist. The best way to learn improvisation is to listen to the masters. All of the albums here feature world-class jazz pianists.
Here are our top 10 jazz Christmas albums featuring the piano:
10.) Silent Nights – Chet Baker (Mike Pellera, piano)
On Silent Nights, the Prince of Cool offers reflective renditions of Christmas standards such as “Silent Night” and “Come All Ye Faithful.” For a late-night listen, you can’t beat Baker’s low key renditions of the Christmas classics. On this 1986 recording, listeners are treated to Baker’s silky tone, the ruminative piano stylings of pianist Mike Pellera, and the mellifluous saxophone musings of Christopher Mason. Plus, just when you need a little heat, the group delivers on up tempo tracks such as “Joy to the World.”
9.) Christmas Jazz Jam – Wynton Marsalis (Dan Nimmer, piano)
Who better than Wynton Marsalis to get your holiday buzz on? This is hot jazz featuring the cats in the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Christmas Jazz Jam is light and warm and always swinging. Songs like “O Christmas Tree” take the listener on a journey down south to The Birthplace of Jazz in New Orleans. For a rollicking time, this 2009 album should be on the top of your list. Plus, Dan Nimmer is one of the finest pianists in jazz today.
8.) A Child Is Born – Geri Allen
If you’re looking for something experimental, Geri Allen’s A Child Is Born is a terrific selection. On this 2011 release, Allen avoids the kitsch downfalls of many holiday releases, and instead presents distinctive portraits of songs such as “Angels We Have Heard On High” and the original “Journey to Bethlehem.” On the latter, a spoken-word track illuminates the spiritual underpinnings of this album.
7.) Sound of Christmas – Ramsey Lewis
Ramsey Lewis’s Sound of Christmas from 1961 is a truly classic Christmas album. This release rose to #8 on the Billboard Christmas LP chart back in the day. Swinging and bluesy, this music features Lewis in fine form with his trio, along with a beautiful string section on about half of the tracks.
6.) Classical Jazz Quartet Christmas – (Kenny Barron, piano)
For something a little different, check out The Classical Jazz Quartet. This is an ensemble of famous jazz players interpreting classical masterworks. On their Christmas outing, they interpret pieces from The Nutcracker Suite by P. I. Tchaikovsky, “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach, and others. This music is a little hard to find on some streaming services, but it is readily available on Youtube, and it’s worth the extra search to hear these truly extraordinary performances.
5.) A New Orleans Christmas Carol – Ellis Marsalis
There is nothing like the funky grooves of The Big Easy. This 2011 album features the elder jazz statesman in various settings from solo piano to small combos. Marsalis’ adaptations of Christmas classics are both unique and inviting, and the album includes elements of traditional and modern jazz. The stand out track may be the festive “Little Drummer Boy,” which embraces Marsalis’s down-home heritage.
4.) A Very Swingin’ Christmas – Count Basie Orchestra (Directed by Scotty Barnhart)
This blazing big band album marks the 80th anniversary of the legendary Count Basie Orchestra. Although The Count does not appear on this release, his legacy lives on under the expert direction of trumpeter Scotty Barnhart. A Very Swingin’ Christmas features top-notch, brassy arrangements of Christmas favorites such as “Jingle Bells,” and “Sleigh Ride.” Plus, it includes guest artists Johnny Mathis, NEA Jazz Master, Ellis Marsalis, and more.
3.) An Oscar Peterson Christmas – Oscar Peterson
One of the most revered pianists in history, Oscar Peterson brings all his virtuosity to bear in this 1995 collection of Christmas songs. Best known for his work in a trio setting, this album showcases Peterson with a string orchestra, as well as featured performances by Dave Samuels on vibraphone, Jack Schantz on flugelhorn, and Lorn Lofsky on guitar. The result is lush music, which will brighten anyone’s holiday!
2.) A Dave Brubeck Christmas – Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck may best be remembered for the hit song “Take Five.” But his 1996 Christmas album is a real gem. Featuring classics such as “O Tannenbaum,” “Away in a Manger,” and “Santa Clause is Coming to Town,” this intimate solo piano outing is both exciting and reflective. A Dave Brubeck Christmas is perfect listening by a cozy fireplace on a cold winter’s eve. Moreover, Brubeck’s unique re-harmonizations will tantalize jazz fans of all persuasions.
1.) A Charlie Brown Christmas – Vince Guaraldi
This 1965 animated TV special, created by Charle Schultz, gave birth to one of the most beloved jazz Christmas recordings of all time. Pianist Vince Guaraldi was a well known sideman in the North Californian jazz scene, and he even won a Grammy for his song “Cast Your Fate to the Wind.” However, Guaraldi may have remained largely obscure without his work on the Peanuts television series.
The soundtrack to this holiday special has sold over four million copies, and among other tracks, it features the gorgeous Guaraldi originals “Christmas Time is Here” and “Skating,” which are now both holiday and jazz standards. Guaraldi’s untimely death at age 47 may have shortened his career, but his contribution to jazz trio music and the Christmas season is indelible. This album is the indisputable #1 jazz Christmas recording of all time.
Eric Starr