It's been a long time since I made my last jazz Christmas cloudcast, "Merry Christmas And All That Jazz", and (all modesty aside) this one is even better!
We've all suffered way too many BAAAD renditions of “Little Drummer Boy”. But I had to include Louis Bellson blowing a mean, and I do mean mean, sax on this one and it's BAAAD in a whole 'nuther way.
That's followed by the most eloquent jazz phrasing I've ever heard of "The Christmas Song". I had a tough time choosing between Dexter Gordon's universally-acclaimed rendition and the one included that's by Gene Ammons.
Teddy Edwards is gonna knock your elves shoes off blowing solo sax on "Silent Night".
And Diane Delin is someone we all need to keep an eye on. She's a four time Downbeat Critic's Choice in the “Rising Star” category.
Enjoy!
ps Many thanks to Chris Patterson for the cover image. Chris is a one-of-a-kind commercial artist, internet marketing analyst, and technologies specialist based in Chicago.
