The next three weeks combined are like a long weekend. This week is going to feel like one long Friday, the week leading up to Christmas will feel like one long Saturday and the one after that leading up to New Year's Day will feel like one long Sunday. Then the eating will end and the cardio will begin. For now, it's time to announce the newest member of the JazzWax Vintage Holiday Album Hall of Fame. It's the Hall's 14th season and one of JazzWax's oldest traditions.
My choice this year is vocalist Helen Merrill's Christmas Song Book . Recorded in New York in August and September of 1991 for Victor Japan, the album was arranged by Helen's husband, Torrie Zito, and done in two sessions. The first was a small-group date with Jim Pugh (tb), Torrie Zito (p,celeste), John Beal (b) and Ronnie Zito (d). Songs backed by this quartet were Let It Snow, Winter Wonderland, If I Were a Bell and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
The second session with the remaining tracks feature Art Farmer (flhrn-3 tracks), Peter Gordon (fhr), Blair Tindall (oboe), Shelly Woodworth (English hrn), Laura Conwesser and Karen Griffen (fl), Dave Tofani (cl,as), Charles Yassky (cl), Charles Russo (b-cl), Lester Cantor (bassoon), Gloria Agostini (harp), Lee Musiker (keyboards), John Beal (b), Jim Saporito (perc) and strings. Mel Torme joined Helen (above) on the holiday classic he composed, The Christmas Song.
Here's Helen, from the album, singing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas...
You'll find Helen Merrill's Christmas Song Book here.
Here's the rest of the JazzWax Vintage Holiday Album Hall of Fame, in order of their year of induction, with links to buy or listen. Most are probably also available at Spotify or on YouTube. Assembled and shuffled, they make a standout compilation playlist...
Inducted in 2020—Guitars for Christmas (2003).
2019—Christmas With the George Shearing Quintet (2003).
2018—Gap Mangione's Family Holidays (2005).
2017—Doris Day: Complete Christmas Collection (1964).
2016—Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas (1960).
2015—Two albums with the same name: Bobby Timmons' Holiday Soul and Don Patterson's Holiday Soul. Both trio albums were recorded for Prestige in Nov. 1964—the former on the 24th and the latter on the 25th.
2014—Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass: Christmas Album (1968).
2013—Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme's That Holiday Feeling! (1964).
2012—Duke Pearson: Merry Ole Soul (1969).
2011—Urbie Green: A Cool Yule Tide (1954).
2010—Eddie Higgins Trio: Christmas Songs (2004).
2009—June Christy: This Time of Year (1961).
2008—Jo Stafford's Happy Holidays: I Love the Winter Weather (1950s).
