Some holiday cheer

It's been a fairly intense few weeks, I feel. Between a full calendar of events, trips out of town, sometimes difficult news from around the world and gnashing of teeth in the jazz world, I'm feeling a bit run down. With that in mind, I propose a one-entry moratorium (at least) on any topic that may be contentious or lead to long, back-and-forth conversations on Facebook.

So - Christmas.

I'm of two minds at this time of year. On the one hand, I've come to enjoy the time spent with family (I didn't grow up with Christmas), the weather (I've always liked snow), and the opportunity to take a few days' rest and reflect on the year that was. On the other hand, I find it all to be a bit much - the never-ending ads, the focus on buying...

...and the music. There is no escaping the music. It's everywhere. One easy-listening radio station in this city has been playing Christmas music 24 hours a day since the end of November. Ugh.

I would be lying, however, if I said that there was no Christmas music that I enjoyed. In fact, some of my favourite tunes are jazz versions of Christmas tunes.

So - in the spirit of all things not-Grinch-like, here is a list of some of my favourite Christmas/holiday music:

Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Bill Evans/Gary Peacock/Paul Motian from Trio 64

Little Drummer Boy - Jim Knapp Orchestra from Things for Now
(Whoops...no video available for that one...)

Baby it's Cold Outside - Ray Charles and Betty Carter from Ray Charles and Betty Carter

Most of Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas

Most of Stan Kenton's A Merry Christmas!

The soundtrack from The Nightmare Before Christmas (not traditional Christmas tunes, and not really jazz, but I love it...)

And, finally, I need to include one non-Christmas tune on the list. Also not traditional, but a great deal of fun:

What's on your playlist at this festive time of year?

Josh

P.S. - I wanted to offer kudos to Ben Dietschi for his Spectrum concert series, which kicks off tomorrow night. Starting a brand new concert series from scratch - especially when it features music which stretches the boundaries of genre - is an enormous undertaking and I wish him the best of luck with it. I can't be at the concert tomorrow night, but I look forward to rest of the series.