Jingle Bell Jazz
| Jingle Bell Jazz | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Compilation album by Various artists | |
| Released | October 17, 1962 |
| Recorded | 1959–1962 |
| Genre | Jazz, Christmas |
| Label | Columbia |
Jingle Bell Jazz (re-issued as Christmas Jazz) is a collection of jazz versions of Christmas songs recorded between 1959 and 1962 by some of the most popular artists on the Columbia label. It was released on October 17, 1962.
Side One
Side Two
The 1973 (Harmony KH-32529) and 1980 (Columbia 36803) reissues replace side 2, track 3 with "Deck the Halls" by Herbie Hancock, recorded in 1969.
At the time of its release, Jingle Bell Jazz was reviewed in Billboard: "Unfortunately, this album is reaching the market too late to really be a factor this year, but it contains such a swinging, bright collection of jazz names, it certainly bears comment."
Despite his unenthusiastic assessment of his contribution to Jingle Bell Jazz, Miles Davis recalls the recording session as the beginning of a fruitful collaboration with saxophonist Wayne Shorter: "...Columbia got the bright idea of making an album for Christmas, and they thought it would be hip if I had this silly singer named Bob Dorough on the album, with Gil (Fuller) arranging. We got Wayne Shorter on tenor, Frank Rehak on trombone, and Willie Bobo on bongos, and in August we did this album. The less said about it the better, but it did let me play with Wayne Shorter for the first time, and I really liked what he was into."
Jingle Bell Jazz reached No. 28 on the Billboard Christmas Albums Chart on December 10, 1988.
The album was reissued twice on LP, in 1973 and 1980, with a track alteration and different cover art. Columbia has issued a CD called Jingle Bell Jazz with several tracks from the original LP and several newer tracks, with different cover art from both LP versions.
While Jingle Bell Jazz has not been reissued in its entirety on compact disc, many of the tracks are available on other anthologies. "Deck Us All With Boston Charlie" and "Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern)" are available on Hipsters' Holiday (Rhino). "Jingle Bells" is available on Jingle Bell Jam (Rhino). "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town", "Frosty The Snowman", and "Winter Wonderland" are available on A Jazz Christmas (Sony Music Special Products). "If I Were a Bell" is available on Something New, Something Blue + Swinging 'Guys and Dolls' (Fresh Sound).
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