Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol. 218 - Thinking about Christmas Songs Part II

Christmas Songs in Jazz

This is Part II of our thoughts on Christmas songs.
In the previous article, I looked at the background to Christmas songs and the history of their creation.
This time, I will be looking at Christmas songs in jazz.

It goes without saying that jazz and Christmas songs are highly compatible.
Jazz is a simple form of music that is divided into a theme and an improvisation part. Although there are some more complex forms, once you have decided on the framework of the theme and improvisation part, there is no need to create the music.
Christmas songs are able to reach a wide audience because of their excellent theme melody lines. Therefore, many Christmas albums have been produced.

During the bubble economy, Christmas TV shows often featured jazz musicians such as Yosuke Yamashita and Sadao Watanabe in prime time slots. At that time, Christmas songs were a popular topic, and they were able to get high viewer ratings.

Listen to the Recipe for Jazz Christmas Albums!

I really like listening to Christmas albums in the jazz category. If the songs and performances of my favorite musicians are packaged together with wonderful Christmas melodies, then even the coldest season can be made enjoyable. It's even better if the arrangements are well thought out. If you know the music, you can immediately tell whether the arrangements are good or bad.
For example, my favorite song is “Winter Wonderland”. There are pop-style arrangements, and there are also arrangements with a full brass band or orchestra.
The way in which standard songs are arranged depends on the skill of the producers, musicians and arrangers involved in the album, so I think it's not a bad idea to focus on that aspect when listening to jazz Christmas albums.

■ Recommended album: 'Jazz to the World' / Meny Artist (1995)

Last time, I introduced a rock album that was made to support Special Olympics games.This is the same album with Jazz taste. The cover was drawn by Keith Haring, the same as the rock version.
The musicians who participated include Dianne Reeves, Lou Rawls, Holly Cole, Herb Alpert, Jeff Lorber, Fourplay, Diana Krall, Stanley Clarke, Michael Franks, the Brecker Brothers, Cassandra Wilson, John McLaughlin, Steps Ahead, and many more.

Recommended track: “Winter Wonderland” / Herb Alpert

The sound of bells overlaps with the beat of the synthesizer. The bells are not light bells, but the sound of large handbells. The rhythm of the beat is reminiscent of a sleigh running lightly. The muted trumpet of Herb Alpert plays the familiar melody over the ensemble. The arrangement for this ensemble was by composer and keyboardist Jeff Lorber, who at the time was playing a producer-like role on Herb Alpert's albums. This is the reason for the timing of this song.
The highlight is the interplay between the trumpet and Jeff Lorber's acoustic piano solo in the second half of the song. Jeff Lorber, who plays the acoustic piano solo, also uses bluesy scales, but for some reason it doesn't sound too dark, which is probably due to the musicians' individual styles.

Recommended song: “Winter Wonderland” / Dave Koz

A rare example of the same song being included on one album. The main melody is sung by a single mellow saxophone, and immediately afterwards an 8-beat rhythm is intertwined.
You might think that Christmas songs are the main domain of the acoustic piano, but there are also many songs that feature the Hammond organ.
The Hammond organ forms the backbone of this song, and Don Wyatt's solo is also excellent.
This song has a rather rock arrangement than jazz, and it also makes extensive use of rock-style hooks and riffs. It's interesting to compare it to the song at the beginning of the album, and I think this is one of the things that makes Christmas albums so interesting.

■ Recommended album: 'Christmas Songs' / Diana Krall (2005)

This is the first Christmas album released by Diana Krall, the queen of jazz vocals. It is a collection of Christmas songs that Diana herself selected.
Diana's husky voice sings a number of classic Christmas songs backed by a big band...
The maestro producer Tommy Lipuma has created the perfect situation for this. The album is sure to be a success.

Recommended song: “Jingle Bells”

The handbells synchronize with the top cymbal that beats out the 4-beat rhythm, and the wood bass and guitar backing intertwine. It's an arrangement that's right in the middle of jazz. The big band is featured in small doses, and from the middle of the song it envelops the whole thing. Diana's singing, which grooves with the orchestra, is also a highlight.
You can also hear Diana's elegant acoustic piano solo in the middle of the song.
The arrangement, which not only features a collaboration with the big band but also firmly incorporates Diana's identity, is amazing!

Recommended track: “Let It Snow”

The coolness of having a big band orchestra backing a vocalist is concentrated in the beginning of the song. A little rest after Diana sings the first verse, the big band's brass hits. It's worth listening to the album just for this part.
You can also hear Diana's acoustic piano solo, which changes and develops the chords.
The methodology of bringing Diana Krall and a big band together in a collection of Christmas songs was the concept of the album. It can be said to have been a resounding success.

Musicians, albums, and recommendations featured in this issue

• Artists: The Pointer Sisters, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Roy Bittan, Clarence Clemons, etc.
• Albums: “Jazz to the World”, “Christmas Songs”
• Recommended songs: ‘Winter Wonderland’, ‘Jingle Bells’, ”Let It Snow”

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