| Jingle Bell Jazz | |
|---|---|
 1962 release cover | |
| Compilation album by various artists | |
| Released | October 17, 1962 |
| Recorded | 1959–1962 |
| Genre | Jazz, Christmas |
| Length | 37:46 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Producer |
|
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.
Most tracks were recorded by Teo Macero in New York City across 1962. The only completely original tune is "Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern)", written by Miles Davis and Bob Dorough. Davis called up Dorough in 1962 and asked him to write the song and sing on it, even though the two had never recorded together. [1]
The album was reissued twice on LP, in 1973 and 1980, [2] [3] 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.
In 1985, Columbia repurposed the name of this compilation and took some tracks from its original release as well as some tracks from the 1981 compilation God Rest Ye Merry, Jazzmen.
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." [4] The re-released compilation including tracks from God Rest Ye Merry, Jazzmen was reviewed by AllMusic Guide, whose editors scored the album three out of five stars, with reviewer Scott Yanow noting how there are multitudinous such samplers, with this one having several highlights. [5] (Yanow also reviewed the 1981 compilation, which AllMusic Guide gave three stars, calling it "interesting if not overly essential music". [6] )
Despite his unenthusiastic assessment of his contribution to Jingle Bell Jazz, Miles Davis recalled the recording session as the beginning of a fruitful collaboration with saxophonist Wayne Shorter: [7] "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 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." [8] [9]
Jingle Bell Jazz reached No. 28 on the Billboard Christmas Albums Chart on December 10, 1988. [10]
Side One
Side Two
The 1973 Harmony re-release removes "Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer", slightly shuffles the tracks, and adds "Deck the Halls" by Herbie Hancock (duration: 4:59), recorded in 1969. The 1980 Columbia reissue restores "Rudolph", but removes "Frosty the Snowman", replacing it with "Deck the Halls". Digital editions of the compilation include all thirteen tracks, with "Deck the Halls" rounding out the compilation.
Credits and recording information are adapted from the 1980 Columbia Records Jazz Odyssey Series release (catalogue number PC 36803).
"Jingle Bells" (recorded in New York City, June 28, 1962)
"White Christmas" (recorded in New York City, January 11, 1962)
"Winter Wonderland" (recorded in New York City, May 26, 1961)
"The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" (recorded in New York City, June 29, 1962)
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (recorded in New York City, May 23, 1962)
"We Three Kings of Orient Are" (recorded in Hollywood, August 15, 1962)
"Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" (recorded in New York City, June 2, 1962)
"Deck Us All with Boston Charlie" (recorded in New York City, May 4, 1962)
"Frosty the Snowman" (recorded October 17, 1962)
The 1962 release does not feature liner notes of a listing of recording sessions like the subsequent re-issues. The back cover features a picture of the band, showing eight members of the Dukes of Dixieland, which may have included members such as:
"If I Were a Bell" (recorded in New York City, October 19, 1959)
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (recorded in New York City, August 16, 1962)
"Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern)" (recorded in New York City, August 25, 1962)
"Deck the Halls" (recorded in New York City, January 14, 1969)
Technical personnel
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