Best Jazz Christmas Albums
American Jazz Music Society’s Best Jazz Christmas Albums aka 12 Days of Jazzmas includes Oscar Peterson, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Louis Armstrong, Jimmy Smith, Classical Jazz Quartet, The Dexter Gordon Quartet, McCoy Tyner, The Arthur Blythe Quartet, The Heath Brothers, Dave Brubeck, Vince Guaraldi Trio, Paquito D’Rivera, The Wynton Marsalis Quintet, Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, Stefon Harris, Lewis Nash, Eddie Higgins & John Coltrane.
God Rest Ye Merry Jazzmen - Various Artists
A compilation of Christmas songs featuring The Dexter Gordon Quartet, McCoy Tyner, The Arthur Blythe Quartet, The Heath Brothers, Paquito D’Rivera, and The Wynton Marsalis Quintet.
Christmas - The Classical Jazz Quartet
A Jazz superstar group featuring Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, Stefon Harris & Lewis Nash. This album features music mostly taken from their Bach and Tchaikovsky Christmas classics.
Sound of Christmas - Ramsey Lewis Trio
A classic – and probably one of the best-selling Christmas jazz albums of all time! Ramsey and his classic trio with Redd Holt and Eldee Young serve up a tight set of grooves based around Holiday favorites.
A Mellow Jazz Christmas - Kind of Blue Records/Various Artists
A Mellow Jazz Christmas features Stanley Clarke, Patrice Rushen, Ndugu Chancler, Phil Woods, David Benoit, Eddie Henderson, George Cables, Pete Christlieb, Bob Conti, Paul Smith and more.
Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas - Ella Fitzgerald
Track listings include: "Jingle Bells," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," " Sleigh Ride," "Frosty the Snowman," "White Christmas."
An Oscar Peterson Christmas - Oscar Peterson
Features 14 Christmas standards. Musicians include Dave Samuels - vibes, Jack Schantz - flugelhorn, Lorne Lofsky - guitar, David Young -bass and Jerry Fuller - drums.
A Charlie Brown Christmas - Vince Guaraldi Trio
This album serves as the soundtrack to the classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas” Television special and it is one of the most beloved holiday albums recorded. Guaraldi is joined by Bassist Fred Marshall and drummer Jerry Granelli.
Christmas Cookin' - Jimmy Smith & Wes Montgomery
This Christmas jazz album has five selections in which organist Jimmy Smith is joined by a big band arranged by either Billy Byers or Al Cohn. The remaining selections feature Smith with guitarist Wes Montgomery.
Christmas Songs - Eddie Higgins
Recorded in 2004, the album features pianist Higgins with bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Joe Ascione.
Favorite Things - John Coltrane
Although not featured on a Christmas album, this tune deserves to be mentioned due to its impact on the trajectory of Coltrane’s writing and musical thought process.
What A Wonderful Christmas - Louis Armstrong & Friends
This album classic album features everyone from Dinah Washington to Mel Torme, from Louis Jordan to Eartha Kitt and an astounding assortment of artists in between.
A Dave Brubeck Christmas - Dave Brubeck
This album features only Dave at the piano. This recording features Christmas standards as well as two Christmas originals: To US Is Given and Run, Run, Run to Bethlehem!