Yep, it's that time of year to induct a new entry into the JazzWax Vintage Holiday Album Hall of Fame. This year marks the Hall's 17th season and one of JazzWax's oldest annual traditions.
This year's inductee is Christmastime by the Swingle Singers. First released by the Philips label in 1968, the album features the vocal group famous for singing notes and tones in counterpoint rather than lyrics. The a cappella group was formed by Ward Swingle in 1962 in France after his stretch as a member of Les Double Six, which included Mimi Perrin and Christiane Legrand, Michel Legrand's sister.
Known best for their interpretations of Renaissance and Baroque classical works, the Swingle Singers recorded this beautiful Christmas album in France with a jazz feel, produced and engineered by Pierre Fatosme. It's absolutely gorgeous, gentle and sophisticated with seasonal charm and grace.
The singers:
- Jeanette Baucomont – soprano
- Christiane Legrand – soprano
- Hélène Devos – alto
- Claudine Meunier – alto
- Ward Swingle – tenor, arranger
- Joseph Noves – tenor
- Jean Cussac– bass
- José Germain – bass
The rhythm section:
- Guy Pedersen – bass
- Daniel Humair or Bernard Lubat – drums
Here's the full album...
Now meet the rest of the JazzWax Vintage Holiday Album Hall of Fame, in order of their induction year. Assemble and shuffle them in your streaming playlist or your digital music library. They make for a standout compilation. Most of the albums are available on streaming platforms or at YouTube. I have provided links to buy...
Inducted in 2023—Lena Horne's Merry From Lena (1966).
2022—Shorty Rogers'The Swingin' Nutcracker (1960).
2021—Helen Merrill's Christmas Song Book (1991).
2020—Joe Negri's 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 title: 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).
