When I was growing up, I never knew that Christmas jazz guitar albums even existed. My parents had their christmas albums that they liked, and for the most part, that’s what we listened to.
I never really had any complaints about the music, it was just what we listened to every year.
The main albums I remember were John Denver, The Beach Boys, and Jimmy Buffet. There were others too, but those are the ones that really stand out in my mind.
Now there’s nothing wrong with having your favorite albums to break out this time of year. Nothing at all.
But eventually I got kind of tired of the standard holiday music around my house.
It was always fun, and the music we listened to was part of our holiday tradition.
But the same albums over and over got kind of old. I wanted a little more variety… even if it’s still the same songs. At least a different arrangement, or a new take on it.
And then it happened. By accident, I discovered that Joe Pass had a Christmas album.
I was home for the summer after my first year of college. And keeping busy by spending a lot of time on ebay spending my paychecks on effect pedals.
During one of my late-night ebay sessions, I decided to see if I could find any Joe Pass albums on there, while I was at it.
The first result that came up was “Six String Santa”… with a smiling Joe Pass on the cover, and a Santa hat hanging from the headstock of his guitar.
If I remember right, the album cost me 99 cents… and shipping was around 5 bucks.
It was still a steal.
This quickly became my favorite holiday album – for years this would be the first thing I put in my car’s CD player after Thanksgiving break. I bought it multiple times over the years, after losing it in a move, or accidentally leaving it in a friend’s car.
But even the best albums can get kind of stale if it’s all you ever listen to.
So now, I’m always looking for new options around this time of year. It seems like there is always something new, and there is always some hidden gem that I end up loving for the season.
Here are some of my favorites I’ve found over the years:
My 10 Favorite Jazz Guitar Christmas Albums:
Six String Santa – Joe Pass
My first, and still favorite has to be Six String Santa by Joe Pass. This album is just always fun to listen to.
It was released in 1992, and featured his regular working quartered – John Pisano on guitar, Jim Hughart on bass, and Colin Bailey on drums.
You’ll hear some great renditions of classic holiday tunes, and of course, lots of great playing from Joe Pass. I particularly like his solo playing on White Christmas.
Have Yourself a Soulful Little Christmas – Kenny Burrell
I actually just found this one last year even though it was released in 1966.
I wasn’t able to find any details on the band, but it’s a great holiday album with great guitar playing throughout.
As a side note, I was never that into Kenny Burrel when I was coming up as a jazz guitar player.
I didn’t dislike his playing or anything, I just wasn’t exposed to it that much. And once I got to college there were so many players I was supposed to check out, I just never got around to listening to him.
Now I’m a big fan, and I actually credit this album as my introduction to his playing.
Christmas Cookin’ – Jimmy Smith
One of my favorites I discovered on an album-buying binge during grad school. I realize Jimy Smith isn’t a guitar player… but he plays with some great ones, so he’s on the list!
This 1964 album features a variety of great players along with organist Jimmy Smith.
On various tracks, you’ll find Kenny Burrell, Quentin Warren, and Wes Montgomery on guitar.
There are some really fun arrangements here, and I always feel like Jimmy Smith’s playing has a bit of a sense of humor to it. Like he’s actually playing around and having fun.
Jingle All the Way – Bela’ Fleck and the Flecktones
My wife introduced this album to me last year – but it was released back in 2008. This is a really fun mix of jazz fusion, bluegrass pop, holiday music, and even Tuvan throat singing
For us, the highlight of the album is their version of “Twelve Days of Christmas” where the verse for each day is in a matching time signature.
The 3rd day of Christmas is in ¾ time, the 7th day of Christmas is in ⅞ time, etc.
It makes the music nerds in us smile a little bit. The album as a whole is great, and well worth adding to your collection or playlist.
Christmas At Home – Larry Carlton
This is another newer one for me, but not a new album by any means. It was released in 1989, and it’s a little more on the commercial/smooth side.
Larry Carlton was another player I wasn’t really exposed to until much later. One of my uncles would get all excited after he found out I was playing jazz, going on and on about Larry Carlton.
I didn’t really know who the guy was, and was kind of obsessed with John Scofield at the time… so I didn’t pay much attention…
…until my uncle loaned me a CD and I finally gave it a listen. Man, there was some great playing there!
Now Larry Carlton is a part of my regular rotation. Christmas at Home has lots of great playing, and it’s a really solid option for holiday albums.
Jazz For Joy – Various Artists (but Mark Whitfield is great!)
Jazz For Joy was another grad school discovery of mine. It was put out by Verve records in 1996, featuring a variety of Verve recording artists at the time.
There’s amazing arrangements, and great playing by people like Roy Hargrove, Shirley Horn, Christian McBride, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln, and Nicholas Payton.
But the name that really caught my attention was Mark Whitfield.
I’d been a fan of his since high school when I read his interviews in Just Jazz Guitar Magazine. I’d tried to replicate some of his practice routines, and was lucky enough to meet him at a small guitar clinic he gave in Spokane, Washington.
There’s great playing all around on this album, you gotta check it out.
Six String Santa – Jeff Golub
Honestly, I found this album completely by accident. But I kind of love it.
Last year I was looking for Joe Pass – Six String Santa to re-download in Apple Music, and found this little number instead.
This 2007 album is a little more commercial sounding, a little more on the bluesy side, but a really fun listen during the holiday season.
Eight Track Christmas – Dave Stryker
Eight Track Christmas might just be my new favorite jazz guitar christmas album. Released in 2019, this is one of the most recently recorded albums on this list.
I’ve been a fan of Dave Stryker for years – he’s a great player and has some solid instructional materials out there too.
This Christmas album features his band from a series of records with his “Eight Track” band:
- Dave Stryker-guitar
- Stefon Harris-vibraphone
- Jared Gold-organ
- McClenty Hunter-drums and percussion
- With Steve Nelson on vibraphone for track #10
Alison Burns and Martin Taylor – I’ll Be Home For Christmas
This is a really nice album released in 2014.
Alison Burns is a great vocalist, and it would be worth checking her out in general.
You’ll find good arrangements, and of course Martin Taylor’s great jazz guitar playing throughout.
Martin Taylor was another player that I found later on, but his playing is fantastic and if you’re not familiar with him… you should check him out.
Solo Holiday (EP) – Pasquale Grasso
A student of mine put me on to Pasquale Grasso last year. I had heard the name, but never really checked him out.
After all, you only have so much time, and there’s so much music out there to hear.
When I finally did, my jaw almost went through the floor. This guy is almost too good. And he’s definitely too good not to check out.
This 2019 EP is short, but packed with amazing jazz guitar playing, and beautiful renditions of some classic holiday tunes.
Be sure to check it out!
What Are Your Favorite Christmas Jazz Guitar Albums?
I hope you find something in this list of Christmas albums that you like. Whether or not you celebrate, there is some great music in here worth checking out.